Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1949-1952 / (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
0.009 cubic metres (1 box)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
John Glyndyrus Williams (1874-1955), composer of Welsh hymns and anthems, was born at Mountain Ash, Merthyr Tydfil. As a young boy, he became interested in the harmonium, and later, when his family emigrated to Scranton, Pennsylvania, he became fascinated with the work of the American Gospel composer, Ira D. Sankey. In 1890, the family returned to Merthyr, and Williams started to learn Tonic Sol-fa with Abraham Thomas, Precentor of Adulum Chapel. He was appointed conductor of the Zion Band of Hope, and was later Precentor at various local chapels. As a composer he won a prize for a march 'Awn i Bethania' in the festival held by the Baptists in Merthyr. He served on the committee of the musical festival arranged by the Baptist Denomination at the National Pavilion in 1901. He was a member of the Tonic Sol-fa Board and acted as an examiner on several occasions. He was one of the youngest members of the musical committee of the National Eisteddfod held in Merthyr in 1901, and was conductor of Cymanfaoedd Canu. He was appointed school attendance officer, 1899-1911, by the Merthyr School Board and later as a relieving officer until he retired on 30th September 1939. He died at St. Tydfil's Hospital on Monday, 18th April 1955, at the age of 80.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Purchased from David Harbourne, 44 Bishop's Walk, Llandaff, Cardiff, in August 1987.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Notebook, music book; anthems, hymn-tunes and marches; miscellaneous songs (solos and four parts); miscellaneous music; published compositions and scrapbook of Evan Morgan ('Alaw Tydfil'), Merthyr Tydfil, mainly containing copies of hymn-tunes by various composers.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Action: All records purchased by the National Library of Wales have been retained..
Accruals
Accruals are not expected.
System of arrangement
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
Usual copyright regulations apply
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Welsh, English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
A hard copy of the catalogue is available in Minor Lists and Summaries 1988, p. 71, 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 supplied from contents of fonds.
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
Project identifier
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Williams, J. Glyndyrus (John Glyndyrus), 1874-1955 -- Archives (Subject)
- Morgan, Evan -- Archives. (Subject)
- Morgan, E. (Evan), Alaw Tydfil (Subject)
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
May 2003
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Compiled by Seri Crawley for the ANW Project. The following sources were consulted in the compilation of this description: NLW, Minor Lists and Summaries, 1988; Merthyr Express, 23 April 1955.