David de Lloyd Papers

The archive contains musical scores of De Lloyd's various works, along with a substantial number of arrangements for works by other composers. Also included in the archive are De Lloyd's research notes; papers relating to his work as Professor of Music at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth; biographical material, and material collected by De Lloyd during his lifetime.

David John de Lloyd was born on the 30th of April 1883 at Skewen, near Neath. His father's work as an insurance representative meant that they moved on several occasions, before settling in Penparcau, Aberystwyth.

De Lloyd's musical talent was obvious from an early age. Whilst living in Carmarthen in 1894, he witnessed J S Curwen give a lecture as part of the South Wales Tonic-solffa convention. Over the next two years, he accompanied Curwen on several trips across Britain and Ireland, demonstrating the unusual assets of the new notation.

De Lloyd was educated at Aberystwyth, and won the Cardiganshire scholarship to the University of Wales College in the same town. He graduated with a BA in History in 1903, and received his BMus in 1905. He would later receive another BMus from Dublin in 1913, and his doctorate from the same institution two years later. With the aim of nurturing his talent, the University Committee collected £100 for de Lloyd to support his studies at the Leipzig Music Academy in Germany. He attended a year long course at the institution, 1906-07.

On his return from Germany, de Lloyd took up teaching, and taught at schools in Woolwich (1908-11) and Llanelli (1911-19). It was during this period, in 1911, that he married Lillian Morgan of Aberystwyth.

De Lloyd returned to Aberystwyth in 1919, taking a post as lecturer in the University College of Wales' Music Department. He assumed responsibility for the choral society and the college orchestra, along with weekly departmental concerts. He was made professor in 1926, a position he was to hold until his death on August 20th 1948.

De Lloyd composed a great many original pieces, and arranged many works by other composers. Amongst his most famous compositions are the opera Gwenllian and the lyrical piece Tir na n'Og.

The papers may be consulted through application by e-mail to: archives@aber.ac.uk or by post to: Aberystwyth University, Archives, Information Services, Llandinam Building, Penglais, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DB. Tel: 01970 628593.

The archive was donated to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth by David de Lloyd's widow Lilian de Lloyd. Amongst the papers are items concerning de Lloyd which were added after his death by the donor.

Description compiled by Rhian Phillips, Archive Hub project archivist, with reference to R T Jenkins and E D Jones (eds), Y Bywgraffiadur Cymreig, 1941-1950, (London: The Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1970), p11.

Basic finding aid available on request from Archives staff.

Further papers of David de Lloyd, along with the University College of Wales Music Department Archive are held by the Department of Manuscripts and Records at the National Library of Wales.