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National Library of Wales
A. J. Williams Papers
Reference code(s): GB 0210 AJOHIAMS
Held at: National Library of Wales
Title: A. J. Williams Papers
Short title: Williams, A. J., papers
Dates of creation: 1767-1951 (accumulated 1901 x 1951)
Level of description: Fonds
Extent and medium: 0.144 cubic metres (14 boxes, 1 volume)
Name of creator(s): Arthur John Williams (1830-1911)
CONTEXT
Administrative and biographical history: Arthur John Williams (1830-1911), from Bridgend, Glamorgan, was Liberal M. P. for Glamorgan South, 1885-1895. He was called to the Bar in 1867. He was active in Liberal Party affairs for many years, and stood unsuccessfully as the Liberal candidate for Birkenhead in 1880. He was one of the founders of the National Liberal Club in 1881. He campaigned for proportional representation and the abolition of hereditary peers in the House of Lords, corresponding with prominent Liberals on these matters. Together with Lloyd George, he promoted the disestablishment of the Church of England in Wales and the reform of land tenure in Wales. In 1887, he married Rose Harriette Thompson Crawshay (1848-1943), against the wishes of her father, Robert Thompson Crawshay of Cyfarthfa, who, in a codicil to his will, ensured that no child from the marriage would benefit from the Crawshay fortune. They had two sons, Leonard Eliot (1879-1962) and Leslie (b. 1880).
CONTENT
Scope and content: Papers of Arthur John Williams, 1881-1943, including political papers comprising letters, 1868-1911; papers relating to legal, electoral and land reforms, 1867-1911; papers relating to his parliamentary elections in Birkenhead and Glamorgan, 1880-1895; papers relating to South Glamorgan politics, 1886-1924; material concerning the National Liberal Club, 1883-1951; diaries, 1864-1911; diaries of Rose Harriette Thompson Crawshay 1868-1943; and family and financial papers, 1767-1943.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/script: English, Welsh
System of arrangement: Arranged by NLW into the following: papers of Arthur John Williams, 1767-1951 (A-J); and papers of Rose Harriette Thompson Williams (nee Crawshay), 1848-1950 (K-Q); each is subdivided by type and date.
Conditions governing access: Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.
Conditions governing reproduction: Usual copyright regulations apply.
Finding aids: A hard copy of the catalogue is available at the National Library of Wales. The catalogue can be accessed online.
Detailed catalogue
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information: All records have been retained.
Accruals: Accruals are not expected
Immediate source of acquisition: Purchased by NLW at Phillips' saleroom, London, in 1986.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Related units of description: Papers of his son are NLW, Eliot Crawshay-Williams Papers.
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note: Title supplied from contents of fonds. Some family papers pre-date A. J. Williams' birth. The archive also includes his wife's papers and notes made by his son, post-dating his death.
Archivist's note: Compiled by Annette Strauch for the ANW project. The following source was used in the compilation of this description: NLW, Schedule of A. J. Williams Papers.
Rules or conventions: This description follows ANW guidelines based on ISAD(G) second edition, AACR2 and LCSH.
Date(s) of description: August 2003
INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Church of England | Establishment and disestablishment | Wales
Election districts | Wales | South Glamorgan
Elections | Wales | South Glamorgan
Land reform | Law and legislation | Wales
Politicians | Wales | Archives
Politicians | Wales | Correspondence
Proportional representation | Great Britain
Williams, Arthur John, | 1833-1911 | Archives
Personal names
Crawshay-Williams, Eliot, b. 1879
Williams, Arthur John, 1833-1911
Williams, Rose Harriette Thompson, 1848-1943
Corporate names
National Liberal Club (London, England)
