Earl of Powis papers

This collection contains correspondence and some printed documents to do with matters referred to in the letters. Material relates to the history of the establishment of the University College of North Wales and details some of the problems encountered in the early stages of its existence. A significant proportion of letters are from William Rathbone, the Liverpool merchant and ship owner who was the local MP, for Caernarfonshire and Sir Harry Rudolf Reichel the College's first Principal. The printed documents consist of items such as draft schemes for the College charter and Court of Governers' minutes.

Edward James Herbert, Earl of Powis (1818-1891) was educated at Eton and St John's College, Cambridge, where he was a classics scholar of some renown, becoming high steward of the University of Cambridge in 1863. He was chairman of Montgomery quarter sessions from 1855 and lord-lieutenant for Montgomeryshire from 1877. He played a leading role in the inception of the University College of North Wales and was first president of its Council. He was also active in the development of intermediate education in Montgomeryshire and was known for his generous support for church building and restoration. He was president of Powysland club from 1867 and of the Cambrian Archaeological Association from 1856. On his death, the estate and title passed to his nephew the eleventh Earl of Powis.

Material has been arranged in chronological order and incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts .

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Description compiled by Anne Lenaghan, August 2001

Item level word processed list is available at the Department of Manuscripts at the University of Wales, Bangor. Reference numbers: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts: 4248-4545

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.