Papurau Bob Owen, Croesor

Papers of Bob Owen Croesor, 1917-1962, comprising letters relating to WEA and other lectures and to TV and radio work, 1931-1962; personal financial papers, 1953-1959; rough notes of Bob Owen, [20th century]; and printed ephemera, relating mainly to Merionethshire, 1917-1957.

Robert Owen (Bob Owen, Croesor, 1885-1962) was a historian, genealogist and book collector. He was born in Llanfrothen, Merionethshire. From the age of 16 he was employed by Parc and Croesor Slate Quarry as a clerk and stayed there until its closure in 1931. He then became an organiser and lecturer for the Workers Educational Association (WEA) in Caernarfonshire. He was highly regarded as an antiquarian, genealogist and researcher and collected many manuscripts and books. He wrote articles for numerous newspapers and periodicals and was in demand as a lecturer and broadcaster. He was awarded an honorary MA from the University of Wales and received the OBE. He married Nell (Ellen) Jones of Caeathro, Caernarfonshire, in 1923 and they had a son and two daughters. He died on 30 April 1962 and was buried in Llanfrothen.

Arranged into the following: letters; personal papers; and miscellaneous printed material.

No restrictions

Compiled by Rhys Jones for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Meirionnydd Archives, Papurau Bob Owen, OBE, MA, Croesor, catalogue; Dictionary of Welsh Biography, 1941-1970 (London, 2001).

Hard copies of the catalogue are available at Meirionnydd Archives and the National Library of Wales.

Usual copyright regulations apply

All records have been retained

Accruals are not expected

Further papers of Bob Owen are in Meirionnydd Archives, ZM/344/10; National Library of Wales, Papurau Bob Owen, Croesor; Caernarfon Record Office, XM/1450.