Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1442-1933 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
1.058 cubic metres (55 boxes and 10 volumes, and 1 file)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Sir John Herbert Lewis (1858-1933) served as the Liberal MP for the Flint Boroughs, 1892-1906, Flintshire, 1906-18, and the University of Wales, 1918-22. Together with his close political associates, Tom Ellis and David Lloyd George, Lewis took advantage of every opportunity of bringing Welsh issues to the attention of Parliament. He played an important role in the campaigns to secure government grants for the setting up and maintenance of a national museum and library for Wales, and helped to ensure that the new national library was one of the beneficiaries of the 1911 Copyright Act. He was chosen Liberal Whip in 1905, became Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board in 1909, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education in 1915. He remained keenly interested in educational matters throughout his life, taking a particular interest in the development of the University of Wales and in the securing of grants for ex-service men. His public life was brought to an abrupt end by an accident at Aberystwyth in 1925, although he survived, a bed-ridden invalid at Plas Penucha, Caerwys, until 1933.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Lady Lewis and Mrs Kitty Idwal Jones; Deposit; 1936-1990.
Mrs Nest Price, Mr David Idwal Jones and Mrs Olwen Foreman; Deposit; January 1990; C1990/7.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The collection comprises correspondence, including general correspondence to Sir J. Herbert Lewis, 1886-1933, drafts and copies of correspondence from Sir J. Herbert Lewis, 1887-1933, letters from Sir J. Herbert Lewis to Adelaide, his first wife, 1891-1893, letters from Sir J. Herbert Lewis to Ruth, his second wife, 1902-1933, letters from Sir J. Herbert Lewis to his daughter Kitty, 1915-1925, letters from Lady Lewis to Sir J. Herbert Lewis, 1899-1930, letters to Lady Lewis, 1901-1939, and miscellaneous correspondence, 1890-1920; diaries, 1872-1933; Liberal Party in Wales, 1889-1896; subject files (including correspondence), 1865-1933; press cuttings, 1879-1933; deeds and documents, 1442-1864; miscellaneous papers, 1750-1949; and photographs, c. 1890-1929.
Article by Ruth Lewis - 'Early Memories'; letters between Saunders Lewis and Sir Herbert Lewis and other letters; article by Kitty Idwal Jones - 'Early Memories'; article by Olwen Foreman - ''Wartime and College Memories', deposited by Mrs Olwen Foreman, February 2008.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
All records have been retained.
Accruals
Further papers are not expected.
System of arrangement
Arranged as follows: correspondence, diaries, Liberal Party in Wales, subject files (including correspondence), press cuttings, deeds and documents, miscellaneous papers, and photographs.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to abide by the conditions noted on the 'Modern papers - data protection' form issued with their Readers' Tickets.
Conditions governing reproduction
Usual copyright laws apply.
Language of material
- English
- Welsh
Script of material
Language and script notes
English, Welsh.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
A hard copy of the catalogue is available at the National Library of Wales. The catalogue can be accessed online.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of fonds.
Note
Early deeds and documents and miscellaneous papers were passed down within the family and inherited by Sir John Herbert Lewis. A few papers concerning the administration of his estate post-date his death in 1933.
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Liberal Party (Great Britain). (Subject)
- Lewis, J. Herbert (John Herbert), Sir, 1858-1933 -- Archives. (Subject)
- Lewis, J. Herbert (John Herbert), Sir, 1858-1933 -- Correspondence (Subject)
- Lloyd George, David, 1863-1945 (Subject)
- Lloyd George, David, 1863-1945 (Subject)
- Ellis, Thomas Edward, 1859-1899 -- Correspondence (Subject)
- Ellis, Thomas Edward, 1859-1899 (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) 2nd ed.; AACR2; and LCSH
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
July 2006.
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
The following source was used in the compilation of this description: NLW, Schedule of the Sir John Herbert Lewis Papers
Archivist's note
Compiled by J. Graham Jones for the ANW project.