Fonds GB 0210 JOHAMS - Sir John Williams Deeds and Papers,

Sir John Williams (1840-1926), Baronet, doctor, was the first president of the National Library of Wales. He was born in Llangadog, Carmarthenshire, the son of David Williams, farmer and Independent Minister. He was educated at Glasgow University, 1857-1858. At University College Hospital, London, he obtained the degrees of MB in 1866 and MD in 1867. He began practicing medicine in Swansea, then returned to University College Hospital as house surgeon, retiring as Emeritus Professor in Midwifery in University College, London, and consulting Physician in Midwifery to University College Hospital. In 1886 he began to attend members of the Royal Family. He became personal physician to the Duchess of York (later Queen Mary, wife of King George V) and attended her at the birth of the future King Edward VIII. He was made a baronet, 1894, a KCVO, 1902, and a GCVO, 1911. Upon retiring, he returned to Wales, and settled at Plas Llanstephan, Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire. He was one of the prime movers for the establishment of the National Library of Wales at Aberystwyth. He purchased major collections of Welsh books and manuscripts, including the Peniarth Manuscripts, with the intention of giving them to the Welsh nation. He was first president of the National Library, 1907-1926. He became president of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, in 1913, and was awarded honorary doctorates by four universities. In 1872 he married Mary Elizabeth Anne Hughes (died 1915), daughter of Richard Hughes of Ynystawe, near Swansea. He died on 24 May 1926.

Sir John Williams (1840-1926), royal physician, president of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and chief founder of the National Library of Wales, was born in Gwynfe, Carmarthenshire. His private library included important manuscripts from the estate of Peniarth, Merionethshire. It was Sir John who, amongst others, pioneered the setting up of a Welsh hospital in South Africa during the Boer War. Amongst the many honours bestowed upon him during his lifetime, he was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1894.