Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1926-1953 (predominantly 1931-1948) / (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
20 vols.
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Edward Henry T. Bible, a naturalist, was born in Hitchen, Hertfordshire, in 1873. He worked in the Birmingham and Malvern areas, and served in the Worcestershire Volunteers during the First World War. After the War he moved to Aberdyfi, where his first wife died in 1926. He remarried in 1928 and had a son, Timothy, by his second wife. During the 1920s and 1930s he contributed a column, entitled 'Nature Notes', to The Shrewsbury Chronicle, which was edited by his friend and fellow naturalist, H.E. Forrest. He was well acquainted with other local naturalists, including Dr J.H. Salter, and also William Condry, whom he first met in 1948, and with whom he was in regular correspondence by 1949. With friends and correspondents he used the nickname 'Biblos'. He died in 1956.
Archival history
Following Bible's death in 1956, his nature diaries were acquired by William Condry, who kept them until his own death in 1998.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Donated by William Condry's widow, Penny Condry, Eglwys-fach, Powys, November 1998; A 1998/137.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
E.H.T. Bible's natural history diaries, recording sightings of birds, mammals, sea creatures, insects and plants, mainly in and around Aberdyfi, Wales, with notes on location, species, identification, habits, migration patterns and weather conditions. Names of species are often underlined in red ink. Instances of dead animals, egg collecting, fur dealing, trapping and shooting are recorded, and the need for protection acknowledged. The observations of others are frequently noted, including Dr J.H. Salter and Miall Jones, both of Aberystwyth, Wales, and Mary Richards of Dolgellau, Wales. There are touches of humour in Bible's descriptions of encounters with animals and people. Gardening activities are noted in the later diaries, and, from 1943, rainfall records are kept. Most of the diaries are labelled 'Fair Copy', but the series includes two small notebooks containing draft versions.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Arranged 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
Copyright belongs to Timothy Bible, Romsey, Hampshire, March 2000.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
A hard copy is available in NLW.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
GEAC system control number
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Bible, E. H. T. (Edward Henry T.), 1873-1956 -- Diaries. (Subject)
- Richards, Mary, 1885-1977. (Subject)
- Jones, Miall, fl. 1926-1953. (Subject)
- Salter, J. H. (John Henry), 1862-1942 (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
This description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) Second Edition; AACR2 and LCSH
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
June 2000.
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Compiled by Geraint Phillips.
Archivist's note
The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Letter from Timothy Bible to NLW, 1999; and William Condry, Wildlife, my life (Llandysul, 1995);