H. Francis Jones Papers

The fonds comprises papers relating to his cultural and political activities and publications, 1920-1962, together with personal papers and correspondence, 1870-1957.

Henry Francis Jones was born in Bala, co. Merioneth, in 1874. At the age of ten he was apprenticed as a printer at the Seren Office, Bala, where he remained until he was sixteen. The family then moved to Llandudno and thence to Llangollen. During the First World War, HFJ spent some time in military service. Shortly afterwards he moved to Old Colwyn where he remained for the rest of his life. In 1900 he married Ann Ellen Williams of Stockton-on-Tees, and they had one daughter, Gwerfil. HFJ was a well-known figure in Welsh political and cultural circles and he wrote extensively on historical, political and literary topics. He wrote a weekly column in the North Wales Weekly News and he lectured to Workers' Educational Association classes. He was associated with Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Undeb Cymru Fydd, and was an active member of Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru. He was the vice-chairman of the National Eisteddfod Executive Committee. He corresponded extensively with prominent Welsh literary and political figures throughout his life. He died in December 1949.

Arranged at NLW according to provenance into two groups: public life, 1920-1962, and personal papers, 1870-1957.

Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.

The papers were transferred to NLW on two separate occasions. The first was a deposit made by his widow, Mrs H. Francis Jones, Old Colwyn, in 1950 and a subsequent bequest was made per Mr W. T. Owen, Old Colwyn, following the death of Miss Gwerfil Wynne Jones in 1977.

Henry Francis Jones was born in Bala, co. Merioneth, in 1874. At the age of ten he was apprenticed as a printer at the Seren Office, Bala, where he remained until he was sixteen. The family then moved to Llandudno and thence to Llangollen. During the First World War, HFJ spent some time in military service. Shortly afterwards he moved to Old Colwyn where he remained for the rest of his life. In 1900 he married Ann Ellen Williams of Stockton-on-Tees, and they had one daughter, Gwerfil. HFJ was a well-known figure in Welsh political and cultural circles and he wrote extensively on historical, political and literary topics. He wrote a weekly column in the North Wales Weekly News and he lectured to Workers' Educational Association classes. He was associated with Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Undeb Cymru Fydd, and was an active member of Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru. He was the vice-chairman of the National Eisteddfod Executive Committee. He corresponded extensively with prominent Welsh literary and political figures throughout his life. He died in December 1949.

The fonds includes some records which were accumulated by HFJ's family after his death.

A hard copy of the catalogue is available at NLW.

November 2000.

Compiled by Sally McInnes, Eirionedd Baskerville and Hilary A. Peters

The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: obituaries in the North Wales Weekly News, Y Faner and the Liverpool Echo, December 1949.

Usual copyright laws apply

Accruals are not expected

Published