Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1940s (Creation)
Level of description
File
Extent and medium
771 ff. (bound in two volumes) 240 x 180 mm. Bound in half leather at NLW
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Robert Richards (1884-1954), Labour MP for Wrexham, and historian, was born at Tan-y-ffordd, Llangynog, Montgomeryshire, the son of John Richards, a slate quarryman, and Ellen. He was educated at Llangynog elementary school, Llanfyllin country school, and the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. He was a lecturer in political economics in the University of Glasgow until 1911, and later in the Department of Extra-Mural Studies at the University College of North Wales, Bangor. In 1916, he was attached to the War Office and the Board of Agriculture, before returning to Bangor to be Head of the Department of Economics in 1921. In 1922, he was elected the first Labour MP for Wrexham. In 1924, he briefly became Under-Secretary of State for India. He lost his seat in 1924, regaining it 1929-1931, holding it from 1935 until his death. During World War II, he was Head of the Civil Defence Service for North Wales. In 1946, he led a parliamentary deputation to India. He contributed essays on India to Yr Eurgrawn in 1951. With Sir Ifor Williams, he edited Y Tyddynnwr, 1922-1923, and contributed in Welsh to the Cymru'r Oesau Canol in 1933. In his later years, he researched the history of monasteries in Wales and had published an article on Cistercian Abbeys in Transactions of the Denbighshire Society (1925). He was also interested in antiquities, elected FSA in 1940. He was Chairman of the Committee of the Cambrian Archaeological Association and President in 1953, Chairman of the Commission on Ancient Monuments, member of Council of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion and Vice-President in 1951. Along with his political duties, he was tutor in economics at Coleg Harlech. He married Mary Myfanwy Owen (d.1950) of Llangynog. He died 22nd December 1954 and was buried in Peniel Cemetery, Llangynog.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Donated in ?1955.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
A typescript work, The Monastic Houses of Wales and the Border by Robert Richards (1884-1954), MP for Wrexham, with autograph additions and corrections. For background material to this work see typescript schedule of Robert Richards Papers in NLW.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Previous title: Robert Richards: Monastic houses
Note
Preferred citation: NLW MS 13706C