Papers of R. T. Jenkins

The collection consists of notes on lectures on English language and literature, history and law made by R. T. Jenkins as a student at the University College of Aberystwyth and at Trinity College, Cambridge, 1898 - 1902. Also notes on medieval history made from 1907 onwards.

There are lectures and lecture notes by R. T. Jenkins on Welsh history held at the University College of North Wales; and occasional lectures, addresses and papers, ca 1940 - 1961 on various subjects relating to Welsh history and historical figures.

The articles and broadcasts date from 1949 - 1965, whilst the articles and printed material date from 1911 - 1962.

Sixteen notebooks contain notes and jottings on various aspects of Welsh history in which R. T. Jenkins was interested and which were apparently compiled by him in preparation for writing his major historical works.

The files of notes and references also cover various subjects such as Wales and the drovers and Moravianism in Wales, ca 1931 - ca 1949.

There are papers relating to The Dictionary of Welsh Biography, 1940 - 1965; letters to R. T. Jenkins, 1929 - 1965 and miscellaneous material such as a memorial lecture by Sir J. E. Lloyd enclosing a letter to R. T. Jenkins, 1928 from him.

Also included are the manuscript copies of his novel, Orinda and his autobiography, Edrych yn Ol.

Robert Thomas Jenkins, historian and author was born in Liverpool in 1881. Following the death of his parents when he was a child, he was raised by his grandparents at Bala, Merionethshire. He attended the University College of Aberystwyth and Trinity College, Cambridge before embarking on a career as a teacher at Llandysul, Brecon. In 1930 he was appointed Independent Lecturer in Welsh History at the University College of North Wales and later became Professor.

Amongst his publications are : Hanes Cymru yn y Ddeunawfed Ganrif and Hanes Cymru yn y Bedwaredd Ganrif ar Bymtheg. He also wrote a short historical novel, Orinda. He was the main editor of The Dictionary of Welsh Biography, 1953 to which he contributed over 600 entries. He also wrote and published his autobiography, Edrych yn ol. He died in 1969.

The majority of items have been arranged according to record type and then chronologically, although there are a few items which have been catalogued separately. The papers have been incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts

Open to all users.

The source of acquisition of the whole collection in not known. However, one item is noted as having been presented by Mrs R. T. Jenkins, whilst another item was donated by a David Hughes of Llandudno.

Description prepared by Elen Wyn Hughes, September 2001

A detailed item level list is available at the Department of Manuscripts of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 13830, 22172 - 22324, 27107 - 27113, 27468, 31110, 31224, 31261

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.

Also held at the Department of Manuscripts of the University of Wales Bangor are other items relating to R. T. Jenkins. Amongst these items are radio scripts, an obituary taken from The Times and a scrap book relating to the R.T. Jenkins Memorial Fund. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 14279, 14407-14413, 14434, 15975, 19889, 21119, 38140. For further related material, consult the indices of the Department of Manuscripts.