, 1870-1955, 1870-1955[Much of the information originally here was in 2005 used to create the Wikipedia article on TJ, which has since been updated & amplified by multiple editors. I've therefore abbreviated the information here, to avoid unnecessary duplication.]
TJ was described as "one of the six most important men in Europe", and also (by a certain MP) as "the King of Wales"(!). He was an advisor to 4 Prime Ministers (Lloyd George, Bonar Law, Baldwin and MacDonald), and was particularly close to Lloyd George, assisting him with the negotiations for the Irish Treaty (TJ appears in the acclaimed TV film The Treaty; the whole film is also available on YouTube). His Whitehall Diary threw much light on politics "behind the scenes". 311 volumes of his papers at the National Library of Wales "comprise one of the finest archives in the country" (many of his other papers are here at Aberystwyth University and here in the National Archives).
TJ and George Bernard Shaw
He was also unrivalled at extracting money from rich people for worthwhile causes, notably adult education. He was Chairman of Gregynog Press (Gwasg Gregynog) and effectively set up the Arts Council, as well as the Army Bureau of Current Affairs (to supply 'mental stimulant' to British troops: when officers stationed at Street Acre during WW2 asked him what to do with the hundreds of books in the house, he sent a two-word reply: "Read them!").
In 1929 he finally agreed (under protest, having refused other national honours) to become a Companion of Honour, although it is suspected the initials CH meant more to him as 'Coleg Harlech'. Towards the end of his life he became President of UCW Aberystwyth, was awarded the Gold Medal of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion (the highest honour a Welshman can receive from his country). The biography by Ted Ellis, published by the University of Wales Press, is highly recommended; for a shorter summary of his life see one of many obituaries. An interesting alternative is the 27-minute podcast about TJ by Ewan Lawry which appeared in 2021 as part of the Welsh Political Icons series: you can listen to it via the widget below (or if you see an error, download directly):
The photo above shows TJ chairing a meeting of Coleg Harlech Council in Swansea on 15 July 1938. Back row: Mansell Grenfell (pacifist, absolutist conscientious objector and organizer of the WEA = Workers' Educational Association in South and West Wales; obituary in Welsh), David Thomas Guy (secretary of South Wales WEA, Coleg Harlech student and governor), Sir William Emrys Williams (secretary of the British Institute of Adult Education, later 'ABCA Bill'), Sir Percy Watkins (Permanent Secretary of the Welsh Department of the Board of Education), Alderman Davies (unidentified: Baron David Davies of Llandinam?), Sir Ben Bowen Thomas (warden), DJ Jones (possibly David James Jones, tutor at Coleg Harlech?), DJ Davies (possibly David James Davies, economist, educationalist and nationalist?); front row: Mary Silyn Roberts (WEA secretary for North Wales), Mayor of Swansea (possibly David Richards?), TJ (chairman), William Jones Williams (treasurer), Archie Lush (Nye Bevan's agent and one-time fiancé of Eirene).
Many of TJ's own books may still be found e.g. via Amazon:
I gave a talk on TJ in 2003 at the Sixth John Briggs Memorial Lecture; a video of the whole event was made by Dudley Hubbard, but sadly no trace has been seen for 20+ years.
I also spoke at a commemoration held to mark the 50th anniversary of TJ's death, on 5 October 2005 (7:30 p.m.) at the Capel Moreia, Moriah Street, Rhymney, NP22 5LD. The event focused on:
Other speakers included Professor Peter Stead (Cardiff University) and Professor John Elliott (Chairman of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion). The event was supported by the Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations, and much of the evening was captured on (amateur) video, but the quality is poor and audio barely audible.
Noson deyrnged i ddathlau bywyd 'TJ'.
Capel Moreia
Dydd Mercher, 5 Hydref 2005
Siaradwyr: Lord Kenneth O. Morgan etc., Cyflwynir gan Lord Ted Rowlands C.B.E.
An earlier celebration in Rhymney, 1939
This page produced by Ben Jones as part of the family records.
