Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1841-1986 (accumulated 1885-1986) / (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
0.409 cubic metres (15 boxes)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
David Vaughan Thomas (1873-1934), musician and composer, was born at Ystalyfera, Glamorgan. He attended Llandovery College and Exeter College, Oxford, where he gained a Musical Doctorate. He taught at Harrow School, Middlesex, before returning to Wales to devote himself to music. In 1927 he became overseas examiner for Trinity College, London, and travelled extensively in the Commonwealth. His chief works are 'Llyn y fan', 'A Song for St Cecilia's Day' and 'The Bard'; he wrote a large number of anthems and songs, in English and Welsh, arrangements of folk songs and hymns, and instrumental works, many of which remain unpublished. In 1906, he married Morfydd Lewis, and had three sons, including Wynford Vaughan-Thomas (1908-1987), author and broadcaster. He died in 1934.
Archival history
The archive contains some material added by members of the family after his death. The main group of papers were held by the family in "the tin box brought from 40 Glanmor Park Road" until 1951, when its contents were sorted into parcels by Mr A. S. Vaughan Thomas and listed.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Donated by the family of D. Vaughan Thomas, Swansea, 1935, and Mr A. S. Vaughan Thomas, Barnet, 1970, 1983
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Music manuscripts and papers of David Vaughan Thomas, 1841-1986, including personal papers of D. Vaughan Thomas, 1885-1932; correspondence, 1906-1945; musical compositions, 'Llyn y Fan', songs and hymns, [c. 1906]-[c. 1933]; published compositions, 1906-1933; lecture notes, [c. 1910]-1930; press cuttings, 1910-1938; and miscellaneous family papers, 1841-1986, including papers of Vaughan Thomas's grandfather and programme of a centenary concert, 1973.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Action: All records donated to the National Library of Wales has been retained..
Accruals
Accruals are not expected.
System of arrangement
The arrangement follows, as far as possible, the bundles identified in the 1951 listing. Additional material is arranged by accession, then chronologically.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.
Conditions governing reproduction
The permission of the depositor is required before reproduction of the major works is allowed.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Welsh, English; music in conventional notation and Tonic Sol-fa..
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
A hard copy of the catalogue is available at the National Library of Wales.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title compiled from content of fonds. Correspondence and other papers relating to D. Vaughan Thomas post-dating his death were added by his family. Some records collected by D. Vaughan Thomas pre-date his birth.
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
Project identifier
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Description follows ANW guidelines based on ISAD(G) 2nd ed.;AACR2; and LCSH
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
April 2003.
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Compiled by Richard Burman for the ANW Project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: National Library of Wales, Catalogue of D. Vaughan Thomas Music Manuscripts; The Dictionary of Welsh Biography down to 1940 (London, 1959).