Kenneth Griffith Papers

The fonds comprises papers relating mainly to Kenneth Griffiths's work as a documentary film-maker with some material relating to his work as an actor and to his personal interests, friends and family. It includes typescripts of interviews, research material and correspondence relating to several of his productions including work by and on: Zola Budd, Horacio Nelson, Dr Ambedkar, Roger Casement, the Boer War, Michael Collins, Cecil Rhodes, David Ben Gurion, Stanley Morrison, the American War of Independence, the 24th Regiment in the Zulu War, Emily Hobhouse, Baden-Powel and Alfred Dreyfus. The fonds also includes a manuscript copy of his autobiography The Fool's Pardon, two boxes of newspaper cuttings relating to Kenneth Griffiths's life and work and two boxes of miscellaneous correspondence dating mainly between 1998-2001.

Kenneth Griffith (b. 1921) is an eminent actor, writer and director. He was brought up by his grandparents in Tenby, co. Pembroke, educated in the local schools and left for London to become a professional actor in 1937. He has been married, and divorced, three times and has five children.
He has played many roles in films and television plays but his greatest achievements have been in the field of documentary film-making in which he developed a very distinctive style and method of working; researching, directing and often presenting his own documentaries. He made his documentary at the invitation of David Attenborough and Huw Wheldon in 1964, and formed his own company, Breakaway Productions Ltd, in 1982. He presents his own subjective point of view and his work is often regarded as controversial and has brought him into conflict with the establishment of the day on several occasions. Both his films on Irish history were banned from being broadcast for almost twenty years at the request of the IBA. Individuals studied by Kenneth Griffith include Cecil Rhodes, Napoleon, Michael Collins, David Ben Gurion and Zola Budd. He is closely associated with the Irish Republican movement, he is intensely interested in the postal history of the Boer War and is an honourary Untouchable. He lives in Islington, London.

No arrangement has taken place, awaiting further deposits. The archive has been boxed and listed according to the random order in which they were deposited.

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

Donated by Mr Kenneth Griffith, Islington, London, August 2001; A2001/45

Kenneth Griffith (b. 1921) is an eminent actor, writer and director. He was brought up by his grandparents in Tenby, co. Pembroke, educated in the local schools and left for London to become a professional actor in 1937. He has been married, and divorced, three times and has five children.
He has played many roles in films and television plays but his greatest achievements have been in the field of documentary film-making in which he developed a very distinctive style and method of working; researching, directing and often presenting his own documentaries. He made his documentary at the invitation of David Attenborough and Huw Wheldon in 1964, and formed his own company, Breakaway Productions Ltd, in 1982. He presents his own subjective point of view and his work is often regarded as controversial and has brought him into conflict with the establishment of the day on several occasions. Both his films on Irish history were banned from being broadcast for almost twenty years at the request of the IBA. Individuals studied by Kenneth Griffith include Cecil Rhodes, Napoleon, Michael Collins, David Ben Gurion and Zola Budd. He is closely associated with the Irish Republican movement, he is intensely interested in the postal history of the Boer War and is an honourary Untouchable. He lives in Islington, London.

A box list has been produced and is kept in the first box.

October 2001.

Compiled by R. Arwel Jones.

Usual copyright laws apply.

Accruals are expected

Published