Thomas, D. A. (David Alfred), 1856-1918.

Person

Thomas, D. A. (David Alfred), 1856-1918.

David Alfred Thomas (1856-1918), first Viscount Rhondda, was a statesman and coalowner. He was born on 26 March 1856 in Aberdare, Glamorgan, the son of Samuel and Rachel Thomas. He was educated at Dr Hudson's School, Clifton, Bristol, and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. In 1879 he went to Clydach Vale to study coal mining. In politics he was Liberal MP for Merthyr Boroughs, 1888-1910, and MP for Cardiff District of Boroughs, Jan.-Dec. 1910. He did not achieve recognition at Westminster, and was disappointed not to be granted ministerial office after the Liberals' general election landslide victory in 1906. He subsequently channelled his energies into the Cambrian collieries, amassing a vast fortune, eventually culminating in the establishment of the Cambrian Combine with a capital of £2,000,000. His capitalist zeal and management practices resulted in clashes with the leadership of the South Wales Miners' Federation. In 1915 Lloyd George, Minister of Munitions, sent him to the United States on ministry business. His success led to him being created Baron Rhondda of Llanwern in 1916 and promoted to Viscount Rhondda in 1918. He was appointed President of the Local Government Board by Lloyd George in December 1916 and became Food Minister in June 1917, overseeing the introduction of food rationing. In June 1882 Thomas married Sybil Margaret Haig of Pen Ithon, Radnorshire, and they had one daughter, Margaret, later Viscountess Rhondda. He died at his home at Llanwern, Monmouthshire, on 3 July 1918.

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