Elwyn and Margaret Davies Papers,

Personal papers of Elwyn Davies, Margaret Davies and Ben Davies, 1878-1986; academic research notes, theses and publications concerning historic stock farming and field systems, [post-1902]-1985; papers relating to the University of Wales, 1937-1982, the Milford Haven Conservance Board, 1958-1982, the national parks, 1960-1983, the Countryside Commission, 1967-1982, and papers relating to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, the National Library of Wales and the National Museum of Wales, 1962-1985; printed matter, 1937-1986; and papers relating to Alun Davies and the Historical Association, 1965-1977.

Dr Elwyn Davies (1908-1986), administrator, was the son of the Rev. Ben Davies (1878-1958), minister at Eglwys Capel Newydd, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. Elwyn Davies studied geography at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth; his MA thesis was 'Seasonal sheep-movements in Wales' (1933) and his PhD thesis 'Race, demography and rural settlement in the Isle of Man' (1937). He became a civil servant, and was appointed Permanent Secretary of the Welsh Department of the Ministry of Education in 1963. He served on the Council of the National Library of Wales NLW and was President of the library, 1977-1986. He also served the National Museum of Wales and the Court of the University of Wales. Elwyn Davies was interested in transhumance and published academic papers on the subject. His publications include Welsh rural communities (1960), Rhestr o enwau lleoedd / A gazetteer of Welsh place-names (3rd ed., 1967) and 'Hafod, hafoty and lluest', Ceredigion, 9 (1980), pp. 1-41.
Professor Alun Davies of the History Department, University College Swansea, was Elwyn's brother; he was a member of the Council of the Historical Association, 1969-1977.

Margaret Davies (nee Dunlop) (1914-1982) wrote her MA thesis on 'The distribution of Bronze Age objects and implements in France, with special reference to British and more distant connections' and her PhD on 'The megalithic monuments of the coastlands of the Irish Sea and North Channel'. She was concerned with nature conservancy, and served on the National Parks Commission, the Countryside Commission (including as chair of the Welsh Committee), Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Planning Committee and the Milford Haven Conservancy Board. Other fields of interest were the shieling, the farming communities in Wales, Celtic field systems, the drovers, the English and Welsh languages, plants and animals.

Arranged into the following groups: personal papers; academic studies and research papers; correspondence re. publications; papers relating to Elwyn Davies's involvement with various bodies and organisations; papers relating to Margaret Davies's involvement with various bodies and organisations; reports and papers of mutual interest; addresses and lectures; travels; the Historical Assocation; conference reports; the County Landowners' Assocation; press cuttings; printed matter; miscellanea; papers relating to UCW Aberystwyth, NMW and NLW; papers relating to NLW and NMW and personal matters relating to Elwyn Davies's estate.

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

Donated by Dr Elwyn Davies, his sister Nan Davies of Llandeilo, and Morgan Brice of Swansea, solicitors, between 1980 and 1992.

Dr Elwyn Davies (1908-1986), administrator, was the son of the Rev. Ben Davies (1878-1958), minister at Eglwys Capel Newydd, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. Elwyn Davies studied geography at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth; his MA thesis was 'Seasonal sheep-movements in Wales' (1933) and his PhD thesis 'Race, demography and rural settlement in the Isle of Man' (1937). He became a civil servant, and was appointed Permanent Secretary of the Welsh Department of the Ministry of Education in 1963. He served on the Council of the National Library of Wales NLW and was President of the library, 1977-1986. He also served the National Museum of Wales and the Court of the University of Wales. Elwyn Davies was interested in transhumance and published academic papers on the subject. His publications include Welsh rural communities (1960), Rhestr o enwau lleoedd / A gazetteer of Welsh place-names (3rd ed., 1967) and 'Hafod, hafoty and lluest', Ceredigion, 9 (1980), pp. 1-41.
Professor Alun Davies of the History Department, University College Swansea, was Elwyn's brother; he was a member of the Council of the Historical Association, 1969-1977.

Margaret Davies (nee Dunlop) (1914-1982) wrote her MA thesis on 'The distribution of Bronze Age objects and implements in France, with special reference to British and more distant connections' and her PhD on 'The megalithic monuments of the coastlands of the Irish Sea and North Channel'. She was concerned with nature conservancy, and served on the National Parks Commission, the Countryside Commission (including as chair of the Welsh Committee), Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Planning Committee and the Milford Haven Conservancy Board. Other fields of interest were the shieling, the farming communities in Wales, Celtic field systems, the drovers, the English and Welsh languages, plants and animals.

Title supplied from contents of fonds

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

October 2004

Created for the ANW project. The following source was used in the compilation of this description: NLW, Schedule of Elwyn and Margaret Davies Papers.

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Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales