This collection consists of family and personal material including certificates, awards, correspondence, scrapbooks and photographs; material relating to Sir Isambard Owen's professional career at St George's Hospital including letters and papers he contributed to journals; material relating to the societies and organisations with which he was actively involved. Prominent among the latter is the Cymmrodorion Society and the collection includes various documents such as proposals, prospectuses, and plans relating to its reorganisation and activities such as the campaign for the promotion of the Welsh language in education and development of the educational system in Wales. There is also material relating to his activities in the preparation of a constitution for the University of Wales in 1891-1893 and relating to his involvement with the University in its early years, including correspondence, accounts of meetings and conferences etc. Also contains documents relating to his work with other universities including Durham and Bristol.
The collection contains the papers of Joseph Edwards, the Welsh sculptor for whom Sir Isambard Owen was executor. This material consists of correspondence, notes, material relating to his design of the Cymmrodorion Medal in 1878 and various papers including some regarding his friend and fellow sculptor Matthew Noble (1817-1876). Also contains papers relating to Prince Louis Lucien Bonaparte including five bundles of letters between the Prince and Sir Isambard Owen, much of it relating to their shared interest in languages and dialect.
This collection also includes other miscellaneous items including a book of Gospel texts in Welsh, not dated, ca. late 18th - early 19th century (reference number: 25257), and an instruction book setting out a daily work routine for domestic servants, not dated, ca. late 19th - early 20th century (25721).