Griffith Davies Papers

This collection consists of manuscripts of biographical works on Griffith Davies by various family members. It includes that written about 1851 by his nephew Thomas Barlow and daughter Sarah, and copies of later revised versions including one in typescript by his great granddaughter Catherine Dew Roberts, produced about 1941.

A biography of the Llandwrog born actuary, Griffith Davies (1788-1855) was written about 1851 by his nephew, Thomas Barlow with some help from Griffith Davies himself and Sarah Holbut Dew, ne Davies, his daughter. Griffith Davies was educated at Caernarfon and, having worked in farming and quarrying, sailed in 1809 from Caernarfon to London to find work there. The biography describes his initial struggle to gain work in London, knowing no one, with limited funds or knowledge of English. He eventually found employment initially as a private maths tutor and later opened his own school. In 1812 he married Mary Holbut, a relative of a former pupil Jonas Holbut. His career in London became increasingly successful and he worked as a consultant actuary with the Guardian Insurance Company, the Reversionary Interest Society and East India Company. His biographer and nephew, Thomas Barlow also worked in insurance, for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Office, London.

The first biographical work of Griffith Davies by Thomas Barlow was later revised and a typescript version produced by Davies' great granddaughter Catherine Dew Roberts of Bangor.

Material was received on separate occasions and incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts .

Open to all users

Item 46 deposited by the executors of Dr John Roberts, Menai Bridge, Anglesey; 3213-3214 deposited by Miss Catherine Dew Roberts, Bangor in 1940 and 5881-5892 by Mrs Humphrey Evans, Dedwyddfa in 1946.

Description compiled by Anne Lenaghan, November 2001

Item level word-processed list is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales, Bangor. Reference numbers: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts: 46, 3213-3214, 5881-5892

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

Material was in the possession of Dr Roberts, Menai Bridge, Anglesey and Miss Catherine Dew Roberts, Dedwyddfa, Bangor, his daughter and a great granddaughter of Griffith Davies.

Also held at the Archives Department of the University of Wales, Bangor are the Diaries of Sarah Holbut Dew . Item level word-processed description is available, reference numbers: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts: 5893-5895. See also reference to Griffith Davies in General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts: 3869.