The Roderic Bowen Library and Archives based on the Lampeter campus of the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David (formed after the merger of Trinity University College and the University of Wales Lampeter) holds the special collections and archives relating to Lampeter which was established as St. David's College in 1822, and opened in 1827. The manuscript items were donated to the library during the 1820s and 1830s as part of the foundation collection of books. The archive of the university has been accumulating since it's foundation, but was only brought together during the 1970s by Rev D T W Price, then Honorary Archivist, whilst compiling his history of the college. Other archives of former students and members of staff were added by Rev Price at the same time.
Approximately 32 archives and manuscript collections will be made available on the Hub. The archives are particularly strong in ecclesiastical matters, especially with regards the ecumenical movement of the mid to late twentieth century and moral and ethical theology. The university archive provides a great deal of information on the history of Welsh higher education and theological training. The manuscript material contains eight medieval manuscripts, dating from the twelfth century, three Hebrew scrolls and about 70 post-medieval manuscripts. The subject coverage is very wide, including theology, the classics, history, literature, politics and music, along with a collection of Welsh ballads reflecting nineteenth century life.
The Special Collections at Trinity Saint David have recently moved from the Founders’ Library to the newly built Roderic Bowen Library and Archives (RBLA). The RBLA is adjacent to the University’s main library, and is open by appointment from 9:30-4:30, Monday-Friday.
The webpages are still under construction following the creation of the new University - they will be available at the following address: http://www.trinitysaintdavid.ac.uk/en/rbla/
Contact details can be obtained via the Learning Resources website at http://www.trinitysaintdavid.ac.uk/en/lrc/contactus/
Browse the University of Wales Trinity Saint David's descriptions
Show list of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David's descriptions
- Alister Hardy Religious Experience Research Centre Archive
- Archbishop Edwin Morris Papers
- Bishop Thomas Burgess Papers
- David Bogue Lecture Notes
- David Mill Manuscripts
- Dom Illtud Evans Papers
- John Spademan Manuscripts
- L C Valckenaer Manuscripts
- Professor H A Harris Papers
- Professor Hugh Walker Papers
- Professor Thomas Wood Papers
- St David's College, Lampeter: Photographic collection
- Thomas Sharp Manuscripts
- Tract Collection: Manuscript Material
- University of Wales, Lampeter Archive
- University of Wales, Lampeter: Collected Medieval Manuscripts
- University of Wales, Lampeter: Post-medieval Manuscripts
- Welsh Ballads Collection
- Welsh Religious History Society Records
- Ystrad Meurig Grammar School (St. John's College) Archive
