Archbishop Edwin Morris Papers

The archive contains papers relating to Morris' work at the University of Wales, Lampeter; papers concerning his work within the church; papers relating to Scouting; a group of personal papers; material compiled by Morris whilst a student, and papers relating to Morris' published works.

Alfred Edwin Morris was born on May 8th 1894, the eldest son of Alfred Morris and Maria Lickert, in Lye in the Midlands. He attended Stambermill School, Lye, until the age of twelve, when he joined his father's jewellery business.

At the age of eighteen, Morris founded the St. Mark's Church Stambermill Scout Troop. It was at this time that he decided to devote his life to the church, but his lack of any formal education held him back. The vicar of St. Mark's, a Welshman who had received his education at St. David's College, Lampeter, recommended he begin attending lessons at St. David's College School in order to attain the standard required for admission.

Morris enrolled at St. David's College School, but was diverted by the outbreak of war, during which he served with the 9th Division of the Royal Army Medical Corps in France. On his return, he passed the school exams, and began his education at St. David's College, Lampeter, graduating with first class honours in theology in 1922. Morris was subsequently accepted to study at St John's College, Oxford. Here he received the Junior Septuagint Prize in 1923, and the Junior Greek Testament Prize in 1924. He graduated in 1924, again with first class honours in theology, and received his masters in 1928, going on to gain a BD from Lampeter during the 1930s.

From 1924 to 1945, Morris held the position of Professor of Hebrew and Theology at his old college of St. David's, Lampeter. He was made a deacon at St. David's cathedral in 1925, and that same year, he became Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Bangor, continuing in this role until 1928. In 1931, Morris was elected Lloyd Williams Fellow of St. David's College, Lampeter. He also took up the post of Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Llandaff. His time at Lampeter was happy and successful, and saw him take on roles beyond the college, as Lampeter Town Scoutmaster, member of the town council, and in 1942, Mayor.

In 1945 Morris left Lampeter, having been elected Bishop of Monmouth. 1957 saw him elevated to the position of Archbishop of Wales, and he continued in both roles until his retirement in 1967. He was made an Honorary Fellow at his old college of St. John's, Oxford in 1958, and also a Sub-prelate Officer of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. A decade later he was made an Honorary Canon of St. David's Cathedral, and he received his honorary doctorate in divinity - an addition to the DD he'd earlier received from Lambeth - in 1971.

Morris published four works during his life: The Church in Wales and Nonconformity (1949); The Problem of Life and Death (1950); The Catholicity of the Book of Common Prayer (1952) and The Christian Use of Alcoholic Beverages (1961).

He died on October 19th 1971, at his home near Lampeter.

The papers may be consulted through application to Peter Hopkins, Curator, Roderic Bowen Library and Archives, Trinity Saint David, Ceredigion, SA48 7ED. Tel 01570 424716, email: rodericbowenlibrary@tsd.ac.uk

The papers were donated to the University of Wales, Lampeter by Edwin Morris' son, Rev. Peter Morris.

Description compiled by Rhian Phillips, Archives Hub project archivist, with reference to Who Was Who, Vol. VII: 1971-80, (London: A and C Black, 1981) and John S Peart-Binns, Alfred Edwin Morris: Archbishop of Wales, (Llandysul: Gomer, 1990).

Finding aid available at the Founder's Library, University of Wales, Lampeter.