Harri Webb Papers,

Papers of Harri Webb, [c. 1919]-1995, including poetry, 1942-1989; reviews and reader's reports, 1974-1986; correspondence with publishers, broadcasters and editors relating to Webb's work, 1949-1995; correspondence from literary and artistic figures, [1940s]-1983; political correspondence, 1964-1974; political press cuttings, 1952-1981; papers relating to Plaid Cymru, 1961-1978, and Scottish politics, 1967-1969; and personal papers, [c. 1919]-1984.
A collection of Harri Webb's diaries. This group remains uncatalogued.

Harri Webb (1920-1994), poet, from Swansea, Glamorgan, went to Magdalen College Oxford. He worked as a bookseller and librarian in Cardiff, Dowlais and Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, retiring in 1974; in the 1970s he wrote several television scripts. He was strongly influenced by the Scottish poet Hugh Mac Diarmid, writer and nationalist politician. He was a member of the Welsh Republican Movement, as well as Plaid Cymru; he was a prolific journalist, and editor of Welsh Nation magazine. He was an active member of the New Nation/Cilmeri group in the 1960s, aiming to replace the leadership of Plaid Cymru. He stood as Plaid Cymru candidate in the general election of 1970 at Pontypool, but in the mid 1970s became disillusioned with the party. His poetry was published in the collections 'The Green Desert' (1969) and 'A Crown for Branwen' (1974). He mainly wrote in English, although he also used Welsh. He contributed regularly to the magazine Poetry Wales, which he had helped to establish; he also acted as a reader for the Welsh Arts Council, and published two collections of songs and ballads. Since his death in 1994, a Collected Poems and selections from his political and literary journalism have been published.

Arranged into the following: works of Harri Webb; material relating to uses made of Harri Webb's work; correspondence from literary and artistic figures; material relating to other authors; literary institutions and societies; political Plaid Cymru, and others; personal; and miscellaneous. The 1999 purchase is arranged separately by subject.

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

Part deposited by Meic Stephens, 1987, and later purchased 1997

Harri Webb (1920-1994), poet, from Swansea, Glamorgan, went to Magdalen College Oxford. He worked as a bookseller and librarian in Cardiff, Dowlais and Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, retiring in 1974; in the 1970s he wrote several television scripts. He was strongly influenced by the Scottish poet Hugh Mac Diarmid, writer and nationalist politician. He was a member of the Welsh Republican Movement, as well as Plaid Cymru; he was a prolific journalist, and editor of Welsh Nation magazine. He was an active member of the New Nation/Cilmeri group in the 1960s, aiming to replace the leadership of Plaid Cymru. He stood as Plaid Cymru candidate in the general election of 1970 at Pontypool, but in the mid 1970s became disillusioned with the party. His poetry was published in the collections 'The Green Desert' (1969) and 'A Crown for Branwen' (1974). He mainly wrote in English, although he also used Welsh. He contributed regularly to the magazine Poetry Wales, which he had helped to establish; he also acted as a reader for the Welsh Arts Council, and published two collections of songs and ballads. Since his death in 1994, a Collected Poems and selections from his political and literary journalism have been published.

Title supplied from contents of fonds. The archive contains some material post-dating Webb's death, relating to publication of his work and tribute events.

A hard copy of the catalogue is available at the National Library of Wales. The catalogue can be accessed online.

March 2003

Compiled by Annette Strauch for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: NLW, Schedule of Harri Webb Papers.

Usual copyright regulations apply.

Action: All records purchased by the Library have been retained..

Accruals are not expected.

Further papers of Harri Webb, [c. 1919]-1995, were donated in 2004.

Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales