Search the Catalogue
Browse the Index
National Library of Wales
Iolo Morganwg Papers
Reference code(s): GB 0210 IOLNWG
Held at: National Library of Wales
Title: Iolo Morganwg Papers
Short title: Iolo Morganwg, papers
Dates of creation: [late 16th cent.]x[1900]
Level of description: Fonds
Extent and medium: 163 volumes
Name of creator(s): Edward Williams (Iolo Morganwg); Taliesin Williams (Taliesin ab Iolo)
CONTEXT
Administrative and biographical history: Edward Williams, Iolo Morganwg (1747-1826), from Llancarfan, Glamorgan, worked as a stonemason. He was influenced by the Welsh cultural revival that took place in the 18th century. He became very familiar with the London Welsh, and also joined radical meetings. He organized the first public meeting of Gorsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain in 1792. He was one of the main founders of the Unitarian Society in South Wales. He spent some time in Cardiff Gaol after being bankrupt. He published poems which he claimed to be by Dafydd ap Gwilym but were his own. A collection of his hymns was published in 1812. His son was Taliesin Williams, Taliesin ab Iolo (1787-1847).
CONTENT
Scope and content: Papers collected and created by Iolo Morganwg; together with papers relating to members of his family, and correspondence of his son Taliesin ab Iolo, comprising a collection of manuscripts and miscellaneous papers, including volumes or extracts of English and Welsh poetry, pedigrees, a register of poets, history volumes, letters, diaries, hymns, grammatical notes, autobiographical and biographical material, miscellaneous prose writings and various notes, political material, deeds, financial papers, topographical notes; [16th cent.x1843]; over a thousand letters addressed to Iolo Morganwg or written by him, with some miscellaneous letters, [1676x1826]; printed books, 1591-1843; together with over a thousand letters adressed to Taliesin Williams ('Taliesin ab Iolo) and some written by him, [1797x1847], and miscellaneous papers, [1771]x1900, including, letters, probates of wills, photograph and notes.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/script: English, Welsh
System of arrangement: Arranged into the following: Iolo Morganwg bound manuscripts (NLW MSS 21287-21386); Iolo Morganwg loose papers (NLW MSS 21387-21409, 21410-21433); Letters to and from Iolo Morganwg (NLW MSS 21280-21286); Printed books, letters and papers; and Taliesin ab Iolo letters (NLW MSS 21271-21279).
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 donated to the National Library of Wales have been retained.
Accruals: Accruals are not expected
Immediate source of acquisition: Donated to the National Library by Mr Iolo Aneurin Williams and Miss H. Ursula Williams, London, 1953-1954; and by Mrs J. Mackinlay, Simonstone Hall, Hawes, Yorkshire, 1955 and 1959.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Related units of description: Further papers are NLW MSS 13061-13184 (Llanover MSS), deposited by Hon. Mrs Walter Roch, Llanarth Court, Raglan, in 1939; NLW MSS 10341-10343 and 19899; and some printed books have been transferred to NLW printed books department.
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Publication note: Richards, Brinley, Golwg Newydd ar Iolo Morgannwg, 1979; Donovan, P.J., Cerddi rhydd Iolo Morganwg (Cardiff, 1980); Williams, G.J., Iolo Morganwg a Chywyddau'r Ychwanegiad, 1926.
Note: Title supplied from contents of fonds
Archivist's note: Compiled by Annette Strauch for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Stephens, Meic, Oxford Companion to the Literature of Wales (Oxford, 1986); Rowland, E.H., Eminent Welshmen (1907); NLW, A list of Iolo Morganwg MSS, 1978; NLW Schedule of Iolo Morganwg Papers, 1955; NLW Schedule of Iolo Morganwg letters, 1957; NLW Schedule of Taliesin ab Iolo Letters, 1959; NLW Annual Report 1954 and 1955.
Rules or conventions: This description follows ANW guidelines based on ISAD(G)second edition, AACR2 and LCSH
Date(s) of description: April 2003
INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Iolo Morganwg, | 1747-1826 | Archives
Welsh literature | 18th century
Welsh literature | 19th century
Williams, Taliesin, | 1787-1847 | Archives
