Dr Henry John Randall, LLB FSA (1877 - 1964)
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Fifty years ago, H.J. Randall was the author of the first complete book about the origin and growth of Bridgend town. Lawyer and historian Henry John Randall (known to his friends as Harry) was born on 13th December 1877 at Mount Pleasant Bridgend, the son of William Richard Randall, solicitor, and Hannah, née Johnston. His grandfather John Randall had come to Bridgend in 1826 to manage the Dunraven estates. In 1881 Henry John's family were living with his grandmother Martha Prichard Randall at 'Slade' in Southerndown. Educated at private school in West Malvern and later at Bradfield College, he started training to be a solicitor in 1896, and qualified in 1900. In August 1916 he married Olga Ruth Brewis in Newcastle-on-Tyne Cathedral and they moved to Merthyr Mawr in 1926.
His membership of the following societies reflects his deep interest in archaeology, geography, geology, and history: Ancient Monuments Board for Wales; Board of Celtic Studies; Cambrian Archaeological Association - President in 1928 and Honorary Treasurer 1936-51; Cardiff Naturalists' Society - President 1946-47; South Wales and Monmouth Record Society - joint editor from 1929. He was also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a member of the Athenaeum Club in London. His close association with the National Museum of Wales started when he became a member of the Art and Archaeology Committee in 1925. Eventually he became Honorary Treasurer of the Museum from 1952 to 1962, and founded the 'Friends of the National Museum of Wales', serving as Chairman from 1954 until his death. He was elected Chairman of the Bridgend District Local History Society in 1952. In 1963, in recognition of his services to Glamorgan and Wales, the University of Wales honoured him with the degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD).
A lawyer all his life, Dr Randall retired from his firm Randall, Llewellyn and Verity in 1962. An author of many essays and legal papers, his first published book History in the open air, a collection of essays, appeared in 1936, followed in 1944 by The Creative centuries. He wrote an account of Wales in The Roman period as his contribution to the centenary volume of the journal Archaeologia Cambrensis in 1946. Bridgend: the story of a market town was published in 1955, and his last book appeared in 1961, with the title The Vale of Glamorgan, studies in landscape and history. Dr Randall died on 4th November 1964 at his home in Merthyr Mawr at the age of 86. A memorial service was held on 9th November at the Church of St. Mary, Nolton, followed by cremation at Thornhill, Cardiff.
This man cared deeply about the people and place of Bridgend. These are the words of his final chapter in Bridgend: the story of a market town - "And so farewell little town of mine. For more than a century and a quarter you have sheltered my family, and I am the last of my name that you will ever know. May you ever continue in a condition of quiet prosperity as you have always done, remembering that the spectacular is not always the enduring, and that size is no measure of value".
Sources
RANDALL, Henry John. Bridgend: the story of a market town, reprint of 1955 edition. Bridgend: Mid Glamorgan County Libraries/ Cedric Chivers, 1994.
Bridgend 900: a brief chronology of the Bridgend district from the coming of the Normans 1093 - 1993, ed. Pearce, David J. Bridgend and Cowbridge: D. Brown & Sons/ Bridgend and District Local History Society, 1993.
Dictionary of Welsh Biography 1941 - 1970. London: Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 2001.
Bridgend Local Studies Library - biographical file,
The Times, 9th November 1964 (obituary)
Glamorgan Gazette, Friday 20th November 1964 Page 11 (memorial service report and obituary)
Links
Bridgend and District Local History Society
Friends of the National Museums & Galleries Wales
Sir John Nicholl (1759-1838)
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John Nicholl, second son of John Nicholl of Llanmaes, was born on 16th March 1759. He studied at Cowbridge and Bristol grammar schools and eventually St. John's College, Oxford. There he gained a bachelor of Civil Law in 1780 and a Doctor of Civil Law in 1785. In 1785 he was brought to the bar of Doctors' Commons and started a very rewarding legal career. In 1798 he was knighted after becoming the "King's Advocate". He often briefed the Privy Council and Secretary of State on international law.
Sir John was also a staunch Tory and started his political career when he was elected to represent the borough of Penryn (1802) in parliament. He also served for Hastings (1806) and Great Bedwin (Wiltshire). He represented this last borough until his retirement from parliament in 1832.
He succeeded Sir William Wynne as Dean of the Arches and Judge of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in 1809. He was also appointed Judge of the High Court of Admiralty, a post which he held until his death in 1838.
Family Life
Sir John married Judy Birt, youngest daughter of Peter Birt of Wenvoe Castle in 1787. They had five children - two sons, one dying in infancy, and three daughters. He had inherited an interest in property at Llantwit Major when his godfather, the Reverend John Nicholl, died in 1770. In 1771 Edward Powell of Tondu died and left his estate in the parishes of Llangynwyd, Peterston-super-Montem, Llantwit Major, St. Brides Minor and Newcastle to the 12 year old John Nicholl.
During his career he would stay in a town house in London and at Tondu House when he was in Glamorgan. However, it was only fitting that a person of Sir John's calibre should have a country estate and it was to Merthyr Mawr House that he eventually came to reside.
When Charles Bowen, illegitimate son of Hugh Bowen, died in 1787 the house passed to his half-brothers and sister. Sir John Nicholl was one of the trustees appointed to effect the terms of his will. However, the estate was heavily mortgaged and there were debts and legacies to be paid. Charles Bowen's will had provided for the sale of his estate to meet these debts but his half brother Stephen Jones was asking £24,000, which was far too much. Eventually a price was agreed and in 1804 Sir John Nicholl purchased an estate of over 800 acres at Merthyr Mawr for £18,000.
In 1806 Sir John started taking steps to build a country mansion at Merthyr Mawr. He employed architect Henry Wood to draw up plans for a new house at Merthyr Mawr once the old house had been demolished. However quite a few problems arose between Wood and Sir John and in June 1808 Henry Wood asked that the contract between himself and Sir John be dissolved.
Sir John was determined to complete the new house and by the summer of 1809 was in residence at Merthyr Mawr even though the house was far from finished. Sir John resided at Merthyr Mawr until his death on 26th August 1838 at the age of 79 when it then passed to his only son John. Since the house was built in the early 19th century descendants of Sir John Nicholl have always resided at Merthyr Mawr house. Besides devoting considerable time and energy into improving the estate Sir John was also instrumental in the establishment of a school and a savings bank in Bridgend. As Randall stated "Bridgend owed much to both Sir John and his son".
Sources:
Merthyr Mawr House - by Hilary M. Thomas
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Wil Ifan (William Evans)
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William Evans was born in Llanwinio, Carmarthenshire in 1883. He graduated from the University of Wales, Bangor in 1905, and followed this with a year at Mansfield College, Oxford. His religious career began in 1906, when he was ordained at the Congregational church in Dolgellau.
In 1909, William Evans moved to Bridgend, to take up the post of minister in the English Congregational Church. Apart from time spent in the Richmond Road English Congregational Church, Cardiff, between 1916 and 1925, Evans spent the rest of his life in Bridgend.
William Evans is better known in Welsh history as Wil Ifan. Throughout his time as pastor in Bridgend, William Evans was establishing himself as the bardic figure of Wil Ifan in the Eisteddfod. He won the crown at the National Eisteddfod of Wales three times, in Abergavenny (1913), Birkenhead (1917), and Pwllheli (1925). Evans wrote essays, plays and poetry. He wrote in both English and Welsh on a number of topics. The volumes A quire of rhymes: short poems and Where I belong both focus on the loveliness of West Wales and the Vale of Glamorgan. His pacifist views were highlighted in Dail iorwg (Ivy leaves) and Unwaith eto (Once more).
William Evans's work in other genres included a weekly column for the Western Mail and he supplied them with articles and cartoons. Some of his columns were included in the book Colofnau Wil Ifan in 1962. Evans also wrote and translated songs in collaboration with musicians including Haydn Morris and T. Hopkin Evans.
Evans retired as pastor in Bridgend in 1947, but his contribution to Welsh cultural life continued. In 1947, he was made an honorary MA by the University of Wales. Between 1947 and 1950 he was archdruid of the National Eisteddfod.
William Evans died on 16th July 1968 at his home in Bridgend, six months after his wife died. He was buried at Rhyd-y-main, Merioneth. His enhancement of Welsh literary life can be summed up by the obituary tribute given to him by the Rev. Lloyd Woodhouse. He wrote "His friendship was valued by many of his famous contemporaries, preachers, poets, public figures and the literati of Wales". William Evans had left his legacy to Wales.
Resources
"The United Reformed Church centenary survey 1873 - 1973"
"An historical survey of the English Congregational Church, Bridgend" John G. Jenkins
"New companion to the literature of Wales" Editor - Meic Stephens
"Oxford Dictionary of National Biography"
"Wil Ifan (bibliography of Welsh and English works" Editor - H.J. Williams
Local Studies Library Biographical file
Thomas Stockwood (1814-1895)
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On Friday December 27th, 1895 The Glamorgan Gazette reported the death of Mr. Thomas Stockwood. At a time of great change, industrial, social and political, Mr. Stockwood worked very hard for the inhabitants of Bridgend .
Thomas Stockwood was educated at The Eagle School in Cowbridge and became a clerk in the office of Mr. William Lewis, solicitor in Bridgend, at the age of 13. Thirty years later, as a fully qualified solicitor, he became a partner to Mr. Lewis. He was Clerk to the Magistrates of Newcastle Petty Sessions division for 50 years and had a large private practice based in the Town Hall.
Some of the other areas of Bridgend life with which he was involved were the Board of Health, of which he was Chairman, only resigning because he could not persuade his fellow members of the need to install a sewerage scheme. It is possible to imagine why he would have resigned in protest if one reads the Report by G.T. Clark on the sanitary conditions in Bridgend in 1849. One piece of evidence states:
"Scarcely any house has a drain from it; open street drains are the only channels for carrying off the rain water from the roofs, as well as all liquid manure from the houses".
Thomas Stockwood was also Coroner for the Manor of Ogmore, Secretary and Treasurer of the Town Hall Committee and Chairman of the Bridgend School Board. He was solicitor to the Permanent Benefit Building Society and the local solicitor for the Dunraven Estate. In his capacity of Surveyor of Highways he was responsible for making the Rhiw passable for pedestrians and again we can see from the report on the Sanitary Condition why this was a good thing for the inhabitants of Bridgend.
The report states:
"The Rue contains 14 houses letting at from 1s to 1s 8d a week. They are without water. In the street is an open gutter, and behind are very close and filthy yards, unpaved and wet and draining upon the houses. At the lower part of this street is a tan yard, and next it a fellmongery. The smell of the latter is complained of. Mr. Popkin also complains, and with great reason, of the smell of the adjacent public slaughterhouses. This quarter of the town is within the reach of the river floods."
For many years Mr. Stockwood was churchwarden at Newcastle and Nolton churches.
Thomas was born in Newport but learnt to speak Welsh when he came to Bridgend as it was, at that time, the first language of many of the inhabitants. He married Miss Ann Thomas of Leicester House, Bridgend and they had nine children, four of whom died in infancy
Slater's Directory of 1880 lists Mr. Stockwood as living in Newcastle House but by the time of the Kelly's Directory of 1891 he was living in Caerderwen in Park Street and this is where he died at the age of 81. His funeral was held on Saturday, November 28th at St. Mary's Nolton and he was buried in Nolton Churchyard.
Sources
RANDALL, H.J Bridgend The Story of a Market Town, 1955
Slater's directory of South Wales 1880
Kelly's Directory of south Wales 1891
Glamorgan Gazette December 27th 1895
CLARK, G. T, Report on the Sanitary Condition of Bridgend, 1849
Dr William Morgan F.R.S. (1750 - 1833)
By permission of Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / The National Library of Wales |
Local Links:Other Hall of Fame Articles:Dr Henry John Randall |
William Morgan's contribution to society spanned the worlds of science, finance and politics. Dr. William Morgan was born on 26th May 1750 in Bridgend. He was the son of William Morgan, a physician in Bridgend and his wife Sarah.
William Morgan is best known for being the chief actuary to the Equitable Assurance Society from February 1775 until his resignation in 1830. One of William Morgan's first tasks for the Equitable Assurance Society was to work out the liabilities on the policies in force. This work was the world's first valuation of a life assurance business. Morgan's work for the company helped it become worth £12.4 million and hold over 8800 policies by 1829.
Dr. Morgan played a role within other sectors of society. He prepared annuity tables for the National Debt Office in 1808 and advised various parliamentary committees on the Poor Laws in 1817-18 and on Friendly Societies in 1827. He also commented on social issues of the time. He publicly condemned the financing of war against France and the National debt.
It was not only in the field of finance, that Morgan played a significant role. Throughout his life, Morgan conducted experiments with electricity and is credited with the discovery of X-Rays through his electrical experiments. William Morgan discovered that by passing an electrical current through a sealed glass tube, and then permitting a tiny amount of air in, the glass glowed with a green colour. This was the first type of X-Ray.
In 1785, Morgan published a paper on his findings, but Morgan's discovery was not fully developed at the time. This discovery was only "rediscovered" and developed by Emil Roentgen 110 years later.
Throughout the history of radiology, it is very difficult to find a mention of Morgan and his discovery. Attempts to highlight Morgan's contribution to science have only started to occur in the last few years. In 1995, an official memorial was unveiled in the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, by a direct descendant of William Morgan, in memory of a man whose work helped pave the way for modern actuaries and scientists.
Sources:
Pearce, D.J. ed. Bridgend 900
Randall, H.J. Bridgend: the story of a market town mid Glamorgan County Libraries, 1994
Williams, C.E. A Welsh Family: From the beginning of the 18th Century, Women's Printing Society Ltd. 1893
"Oxford Dictionary of National Biography", Vol. 39 Morant - Murray
Various newspaper articles
John Bedford and the Ironworks at Cefn Cribwr
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Born in Birmingham in the late 1720s, John Bedford was the son of John and Sarah. His father was a cutler in the iron trade and John junior followed him into the trade, becoming a 'japanner' in 1748. By 1765, John Bedford had left Birmingham and had established himself as a manager of a forge in Trostrey, Monmouthshire. However, he still had property and business interests in Birmingham, which were managed by his father. A few years later, the sale of one of his properties in Birmingham enabled John to purchase his own forge at Rogerstone, where he remained until 1770.
He left Rogerstone and relocated to Cefn Cribwr, where he had purchased a 95 acre estate. John Bedford had big plans for the estate and envisaged developing an entire set of ironworks, including mines, a blast furnace and forge as well as collieries, brickworks and stone quarries. However, his plans for his Cefn Cribwr estate failed to reach its potential. Evidence in his correspondence suggests that one of the reasons for the failure was because he was more preoccupied with experimenting with different types of raw material and improving iron-making techniques than developing the ironworks as a commercial enterprise.
John Bedford has been described as a man who attempted so much but achieved so little. His eccentric personality, choice of position for his ironworks, lack of financial astuteness and reliance on borrowing have been cited as reasons for his failure. However, although his ironworks were unsuccessful, John Bedford is credited with leaving vast amounts of correspondence, recommending improvements to iron making techniques to the Society of Arts and other members of the trade. His correspondence is held at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.
John Bedford died at his brother's home in Digbeth on 30 September 1791. He was buried at Marston Chapel, Hall Green and his estate was divided between his wife and children. Following his death, attempts were made to revise smelting at Cefn but these efforts were unsuccessful.
Sources
Granville, Neville. Cefn Cribwr: Chronicle of a village. Stewart Williams, Barry: 1980.
Rees, D. Morgan. 'John Bedford: A Lesser-known Ironmaster.' Journal of the South East Wales Industrial Archaeology Society. (Extract). 1967.
Riden, Philip. John Bedford and the Ironworks at Cefn Cribwr. Philip Riden, 1992.
James Brogden (1832 - 1907)
By permission of Keith E. Morgan (Around Porthcawl, Newton and Nottage, Chalford, 1996) |
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One of the greatest influences on the growth of Porthcawl was probably James Brogden and his family. The Brogden family were one of the largest ore exporting companies in Furness, Lancashire and by 1856 were exporting 200,000 tons from Barrow to South Wales. It was this link with South Wales that led to John Brogden learning about the financial difficulties of Sir Robert Price, owner of the Tondu Ironworks. Within a couple of years Brogden and Sons moved in and officially purchased the Tondu Ironworks in 1855. They also acquired the right to mine coal and iron at Tondu and in the surrounding countryside.
James Brogden, along with several assistants, was put in charge of the works and helped turn them into a profit making business. They also started to mine land at Cribbwr Fawr and Park Slip; Cae-Gwarel; Blaen Cwmdu; Garth Fach and Cwmdu Canol. When these coal mining ventures eventually extended further up the valleys an outlet for the coal was needed. This led to the construction of a railway from Nantymoel to a junction with the Llynfi Valley Railway at Tondu and the construction of a railway from Tondu to Porthcawl. This was completed by 1865.
As a result of the developments in the Ogmore Valley, the docks at Porthcawl were no longer efficient enough to cope with the supply of coal and iron ore. The Brogdens obtained an Act of Parliament in 1864 to improve the Porthcawl Dock. James was put in charge of this work which was eventually completed in 1867. This new dock was able to accommodate quite large vessels and as a result 165,000 tons of coal had been shipped from the dock by 1871.
James Brogden also purchased 32 acres of land adjoining the new dock at Porthcawl with the intention of establishing a town on this land. John Street was the first to be built, named in honour of the head of the family. The Brogden residence, New House, later the Seabank Hotel was started about 1865. The Esplanade was completed in 1887.
However, the collapse of trade in Porthcawl's harbour had a terrible effect on the Brogdens' fortune and after James's death in 1907 his wife Mary Caroline was forced to sell Sea Bank House and other lands around Porthcawl. James Brogden is buried in Newton Parish Church.
Sources
The Brogden pioneers of the early industrial development in Mid Glamorgan by L.S. Higgins
Around Porthcawl, Newton and Nottage compiled by Keith E. Morgan
Tondu Iron Works by Wyn Price
Newton, Nottage and Porthcawl by L.S. Higgins
Porthcawl, Newton and Nottage by Alun Morgan
Porthcawl: its history and development by Alun Morgan
Christopher Williams RBA (1873 - 1934)
Maesteg Artist & Portrait Painter
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1873
Born on January 7th in Commercial Street Maesteg, Christopher David Williams was the son of Evan and Mary Williams. His father came from Llanllwch, near Carmarthen, and owned a grocery shop in Commercial Street, which had an enormous teapot hanging above the window, and was known locally as "Siop Williams Tebot". Because his mother had died, Christopher was sent to live in Brown Street, Nantyffyllon, with Mrs Phoebe Williams. Later he moved back to live at the "Teapot Shop". Known as "Christie" to his school friends, he attended Llynfi Ironworks School, where his drawing class teacher Jeremiah Williams realised he had a brilliant future as an artist.
1886
At the age of 13, he was sent to Monkton House boarding school in Cardiff.
1889
When he was 16 years old, he left Cardiff, and went to Oswestry High School.
1891
In the last year at Oswestry, he visited the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, and was spellbound when he saw the figure painting "Perseus and Andromeda" by Lord Leighton. This increased his determination to become an artist, and not a doctor. After much argument, his father decided to support him in his chosen career. He studied with Mr F.J.Kerr (1856 - 1928) who taught art at home in Slaughterhouse Road in Neath, and at the Neath Technical Institute.
1893
He won a scholarship, which entitled him to three years free tuition at the Royal College of Art.
1896
He gained free entry to the Royal Academy Schools. Living in Kensington, within easy reach of art galleries and studios, he continued to be influenced by the painters Lord Leighton and G.F.Watts who was a Welshman.
1899
For his first portrait commission, he painted "Mrs Sackville Evans" who was a friend of his in London.
1902
"Paolo and Francesca" was his first painting to be exhibited at the Royal Academy.
1903
"Evan Williams, the Artist's Father" his oil on canvas portrait was shown at the Royal Academy, together with "The Orangery, Margam".
1904
On 21st September he married Emily Appleyard in All Saints Church, Scarborough.
They went on an extended honeymoon to Italy, returning home via Venice at the end of their year away.
1905
On 13th October their first son Gwyn was born in Kensington.
1908
Ivor their second son was born.
In his first public address, at the Llangollen National Eisteddfod, he criticised the lack of facilities for art students in Wales. He thought politicians and wealthy mine owners should help in providing "art for the masses, not for the classes only". Later his interest in socialism led him to become a member of the Fabian Society.
1911
Visited Paris in April. In July, he received a commission from King George V to work on a commemorative painting of the Investiture of Edward, Prince of Wales at Caernarfon. As well as attending the ceremony, he visited Buckingham Palace, where the Royal Family sat for him in order to complete the detail of the picture. He completed two versions of this painting.
He painted the first of three portraits of Lloyd George in the summer of 1911. Lloyd George described Christopher as "one of the most gifted artists Wales has produced".
Christopher also started to work on"Deffroad Cymru : The Awakening of Wales".
1915
Painted "Branwen", one of three subjects he completed from the "Mabinogion", the others being "Ceridwen"(1910), and "Blodeuwedd"(1930). "Branwen" marked the start of his concern for the purity of colour, and in this oil painting he limited himself to using red, yellow, and blue.
1916
Asked by Lloyd George to paint the "Charge of the Welsh Division at Mametz Wood", Christopher visited the front in November, and this painting portrays all the horror and futility of war that he felt.
1917
This year saw the completion of the following compositions: - "The Red Dress", a picture of the artist's wife at Barmouth Island, "Near Merthyr Mawr" and "Winter in Glamorgan" also called "Kenfig Wood".
1925
From this date until 1932 Christopher was a member of the Art Committee of the National Museum of Wales. During these last years of his life, his works continued to be accepted regularly by the Royal Academy, and he continued to promote interest in the visual arts in Wales.
1934
On 18th July, his sons Gwyn and Ivor presented "Paolo & Francesca" and Christopher's portrait of his father to a large gathering at Maesteg Town Hall. Christopher was not well enough to attend, and died the next evening, after having read the telegram saying that the ceremony at Maesteg had gone well. After the funeral service in London, his ashes were scattered on the hillside at Llangynwyd, a place he had loved from boyhood. Mrs Williams and her sons attended the ceremony and the service was conducted by Christopher's old friend the Rev Samuel Williams.
POSTSCRIPT
Gwyn his elder son became a brilliant astronomer, and Ivor became a well known painter in his own right.
In 1994, seventeen of his works were restored and put on permanent display, six in Maesteg Town Hall, and the rest in the Borough Council Civic Offices in Bridgend. Christopher Williams thought Art needed a higher profile in the first years of the 20th Century; surely he deserves greater recognition for his contribution to the world of Art.
Sources
Williams, Jeremiah (ed.), 1955. Christopher Williams RBA : an account of his life and appreciations of his work, 2nd edition. Caernarfon : Delyn Press.
Dictionary of Welsh biography down to 1940,1959. London : Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion.
Rees, Rev T. Mardy, 1925. Welsh painters, engravers, sculptors (1527 - 1911). Carnarvon : Welsh Publishing Co [for Portrait].
Bridgend Library & Information Service Local Studies biographical file [for Press cuttings].
Links
John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia)
Harpist to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII
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John Thomas was born in Bridgend on the 1st March 1826 and was one of a large and respected family. His father, John Thomas senior (a tailor in Bridgend), an amateur clarinettist in a local band, started to teach John junior to play the piccolo at the age of 4.
By the age of six John was competent enough to play in a local brass band at county level. When his father bought him a violin John showed no interest but on hearing a harp that was brought to the house he decided that this was what he wanted to play. His father bought him an old triple harp from Thomas Evans, composer of "Y Ferch o'r Sger", and together with Llywelyn Williams taught young John how to play.
John won the "silver" triple harp at the age of 12 at the Abergavenny Eisteddfod. Sir Charles Morgan, president of the event, wanted to help send young John to the Royal Academy of Music. He sent the family up to London where John played at a party given by Lady Augusta Ada Lovelace, daughter of Lord Byron. She was so impressed with this young man that she offered to pay three-quarters of the cost towards his studies at the Royal Academy provided the family would pay the remainder. So his father was offered a job as a tailor in St. Paul's Churchyard where the family stayed for almost 20 years.
John Thomas was awarded the title of "Pencerdd Gwalia" at the Aberdare Eisteddfod in 1861, the following year he first presented concerts of Welsh music in London and soon made recital tours of the continent and by 1872 he had been appointed official harpist to Queen Victoria.
In spite of his success in London he never forgot his native town and he returned in 1877 to play a benefit concert in aid of local flood victims.
John Thomas died in 1913 aged 87.
Sources:
n Cleaver, Emrys. Musicians of Wales: an account of the lives and work of the major musicians (John Jones, 1968)
n Notable Welsh musicians (of today), with portraits, biographies and a preface on the condition of music in Wales at the present time (edited by Frederic Griffith). (Francis Goodwen, 1896)
n Welsh music history = Hanes cerddoriaeth Cymru/editor: Sally Harper
n Glamorgan Gazette 1904; 1928.
Mary De la Beche Nicholl
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"On 30th May, 1860, Glamorgan society attended a fashionable wedding at Sketty Church Swansea. The bride was a beautiful young girl, eldest daughter of a respected Swansea businessman, industrialist and Member of Parliament. The bridegroom, sixteen years older than his bride, was the head of an established landed family with an imposing estate in one of the most beautiful locations in the county and with a pedigree of impeccable respectability." So writes Hilary Thomas in the prologue to her book "Grandmother Extraordinary", based on Mary's diaries. The bride was Mary De la Beche Dillwyn and her groom John Cole Nicholl of Merthyrmawr House.
Mary was an extraordinary woman who travelled the world to climb mountains and collect butterflies and her butterfly collection can be seen at Swansea Museum. In the book, her granddaughter Olive relates the following recollection of her Grandmother:
Before my Grandmother set out on one of her visits to the Balkans I vividly remember her saying to my father, in no uncertain terms "Remember John, if bandits capture me you are on no account to ransom me."
Amongst the places she visited were the Balkans, Bulgaria, British Columbia and Lebanon. She travelled with climbing boots, a butterfly net and tent, accompanied by an extravagantly cosmopolitan assortment of guides and chaperones.
If you would like to know more about Mary the book is available to borrow from Bridgend Libraries. In the Local Studies library there is also more information about Merthyrmawr House.
Source:
n THOMAS, Hilary. Grandmother Extraordinary (Stewart Williams Publishers, 1979)
Dr Richard Price
By permission of Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / The National Library of Wales |
Local Links:Other Hall of Fame Articles:Dr Henry John Randall |
Richard Price was born at Tynton, Llangeinor, Glamorgan on 23 February 1723. He was the son of Rees and Catherine. He was educated at Pentwyn, Chancefield and Moorfield and from 1740-1744 he studied at the dissenting academy in London.
Following his studies, Richard Price became family chaplain to a Mr Streatfield of Stoke Newington; a position that gave him time to pursue his studies. He married Sarah Blundell on 16 June 1757 and a year later became a preacher at the meeting house at Newington Green. He was a prolific writer and first came to public attention in 1758 when he published a book entitled "A Review of the Principal Questions and Difficulties in Morals".
Dr Price has been described as one of the greatest Welshmen ever. He was a great advocate of freedom and equality, becoming a leading libertarian and dissenter of that time. He supported the America in its War of Independence against Britain and the principles of the French Revolution.
Dr Price was also a financial genius. He was responsible for devising actuarial tables, which are still used in assessing life assurance risks today. Furthermore, he developed the financial system in America and advised France about their monetary system.
He received many accolades during his life:
n |
On 05 December 1756, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. |
n |
On 07 August 1767, he received a degree from the Marischal College, Aberdeen. |
n |
On 24 April 1781, Yale awarded George Washington and Richard Price with the LLD. |
n |
In 1778, he was presented with the Freedom of the City of London. |
On 06 October 1778, Richard Price was invited to America to advise Congress on regulating their finances, however, he felt that he was too old to make such changes.
He died in 1791. Richard Price became very famous in America and today, is better remembered in the U.S. than in the UK.
Works by Dr Richard Price
n |
Price, Richard, (1723-1791). A review of the principal questions in morals. Clarendon Press, 1948. |
n |
Price, Richard, (1723-1791). Four dissertations: I. On providence; II. On prayer; |
Works about Dr Richard Price
n |
Laboucheix, Henri. (Sylvia and David Raphael, translators). Richard Price as moral philosopher and political theorist. The Voltaire Foundation, 1982. |
n |
Williams, Chris (editor). Richard Price and the Atlantic revolution. Llafur, 1991. |
Caroline, Countess of Dunraven
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Local Links:Other Hall of Fame Articles:Dr Henry John Randall |
By the time of her death in 1870, Caroline, Countess of Dunraven had left the people of Bridgend, several lasting reminders of the Dunraven family. Caroline inherited the Dunraven estate on the death of her father, due to the deaths of her two older brothers. In 1810, she married the Honourable Windham Quin, MP for County Limerick, Eire. Throughout her married life, Caroline lived in both Wales and Ireland. When her husband died in 1850, Caroline returned to Dunraven for the rest of her life.
Caroline backed the installation of a new water supply for Bridgend, which was completed about the year 1857. She funded the whole project including the water supply and pipes. Caroline's efforts were appreciated by the town, as early in 1858, the inhabitants sent an address to the Countess, thanking her for her efforts. In 1860, Caroline provided the town with the Randall Memorial Drinking Fountain. This was erected at the foot of Court Road in the memory of John Randall, who managed her estate. Randall's grandson Henry John Randall was the author of "Bridgend: the story of a market town". If you would like to find out more about Caroline and the Dunraven family, then call into the local studies library.
Sources:
n "Historical anecdotes of Dunraven Castle, in the Vale of Glamorgan", Edward Williams
n "Past times and pastimes", Volumes 1 + 2, W.H.W. Dunraven
n "Dunraven castle Glamorgan, some notes on its history and associations", W.H.W. Dunraven
n "Bridgend: the story of a market town", H.J. Randall
n "Buildings of special architectural or historical interest - Bridgend Ogwr district", Cadw
Sir Morien Bedford Morgan (1912 - 1978)
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Local Links:Other Hall of Fame Articles:Dr Henry John Randall |
A distinguished aeronautical engineer, Sir Morien Bedford Morgan was born in Caroline Street, Bridgend on 20th December 1912, the son of John Bedford Morgan, draper, and Edith Mary (formerly Thomas), a teacher. The family were very interested in music, and as well as becoming a skilled pianist and organist, Morien also had a good tenor voice. He was educated at the following schools; Bridgend elementary school; Magdalen College school, Oxford, as a chorister; Aberdare boys county school; Canton secondary school, Cardiff; and Rutlish school, Merton, London.
In 1931, he entered St. Catharine's College, Cambridge and was awarded the John Bernard Seely prize in aeronautics in 1934.
Recruited by the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough in 1935, his scientific knowledge, research experience, energy, and enthusiasm solved many aerodynamic problems for the major aircraft designers during the pre-war years.
In November 1956, Morien became chairman of the Supersonic Transport Aircraft Committee. As director of the programme of research into the feasibility of a supersonic civil aircraft, his enthusiasm and belief in supersonic air travel resulted in the development of Concorde.
From 1959 to 1969 Sir Morien was scientific advisor to the Air Ministry (one year), and then held posts in the Ministry of Aviation, before he returned to the Royal Aircraft Establishment as Director from 1969 to 1972. As leader of a talented team, the technical success of Concorde owes much to him.
E.G. Broadbent writes in the "Dictionary of National Biography" of Sir Morien's ability to get to know and understand all kinds of people, and to persuade diverse groups to work together.
From 1972 until his death on 4th April 1978 Morien was master of Downing College, Cambridge, "where his enthusiasm and good humour together with his Welsh charm, eloquence, and love of music" made sure that he got on well with everyone.
Morien Morgan was appointed CB in 1958 and knighted in 1969.
President of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1967-8, he received many other honours in the field of aeronautical engineering, and became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1972.
Sources:
"Bridgend 900" ed. D.J. Pearce 1993 page 79
"Dictionary of National Biography 1971-1980"
"Who Was Who Vol VII 1971-1980"
"Western Mail" 7th April 1978 on microfilm
"The Times" 6th April 1978 - obituary from the Local Studies Biographical File
Links:
Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey
Concorde SST - The Definitive Concorde Aircraft Site on the Internet
