Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1876-1929 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
0.23 cubic metres (22 boxes, 1 frame, 4 volumes)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Thomas Edward (Tom) Ellis (1859-1899), politician, was Liberal MP for Merioneth, 1886-1899, and chief Liberal whip, 1894-1895. He was born at Cynlas, Cefnddwysarn, Llanfor, Merionethshire, and educated in Llandderfel and Bala, before going to University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, 1875-1879. He joined New College, Oxford, in 1880, graduating in 1884 with a BA in Modern History, adding an MA in 1897. He became the private secretary of John Brunner, MP for Northwich, Cheshire, and in August 1886 he was elected as Liberal MP for Merioneth. By 1892, he was second whip in Gladstone's Liberal Government, and was chief Liberal whip, 1894-1895, under Lord Rosebery. He vigorously promoted Welsh interests in Parliament, advocating the disestablishment of the Church of England in Wales, the creation of a Welsh assembly and national library, and pushing through the establishment of a Royal Commission on land in Wales and Monmouthshire. At one time he was a prominent member of the Cymru Fydd movement. He had a great influence on educational administration in Wales. He contributed to the passing of the Welsh Intermediate and Technical Education Act 1889, and was a member the University of Wales Court and the Central Welsh Board. He was the founder of the University of Wales' Old Students' Association. He married Annie Jane Davies (1873-1942) of Cwrt-mawr, Llangeitho, Cardiganshire, in 1898. However, his health was fragile, and he died on 5 April 1899, while in Cannes, France, and was buried at Cefnddwysarn. His only son, T. I. Ellis, was born eight months later. A volume entitled Speeches and Addresses was published by Hughes and Son, Wrexham, in 1912. His widow subsequently married the Rev. Peter Hughes Griffiths (1871-1937).
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Deposited by his son, Mr T. I. Ellis, Aberystwyth, 1961-1969. Converted into a donation by Mrs Mari Ellis, 1996.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Letters written to T. E. Ellis, 1876-1899, from correspondents including A. H. D. Acland, D. R. Daniel, Ellis Jones Griffith, Lord Rosebery and others; drafts and copies of letters by T. E. Ellis, [c. 1879]-1899; miscellaneous correspondence and papers concerning T. E. Ellis, 1886-1929; diaries, 1889-1897; newspaper cuttings, printed matter, notes, petitions and papers on political matters, 1877-1910; and family papers, consisting mainly of letters to Mrs T. E. Ellis, 1897-1929.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
All records deposited at the National Library of Wales have been retained.
Accruals
Accruals are not expected.
System of arrangement
Arranged into the following: letters to T. E. Ellis; letters and copies of letters by him; parliamentary and personal papers; miscellaneous correspondence and papers; further T. E. Ellis correspondence and papers (1964-1969 deposits); and family papers.
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 laws apply.
Language of material
- English
- Welsh
Script of material
Language and script notes
English, Welsh.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Hard copies of the catalogues (in two volumes) are available at the National Library of Wales. The catalogues are available online.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of fonds.
Note
Correspondence and other items after 1899 relate mostly to his widow.
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
Project identifier
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Ellis, Annie J. (Annie Jane), 1873-1942 -- Correspondence. (Subject)
- Ellis, Thomas Edward, 1859-1899 -- Archives. (Subject)
- Ellis-Griffith, Ellis Jones, 1860-1926. (Subject)
- Rosebery, Archibald Philip Primrose, Earl of, 1847-1929 (Subject)
- Acland, Arthur Herbert Dyke, 1847-1926. (Subject)
- Ellis, Annie J. (Annie Jane), 1873-1942. (Subject)
- Ellis, Thomas Edward, 1859-1899 -- Correspondence (Subject)
- Daniel, David R. (David Robert), 1859-1931 (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
February 2003
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
The following sources were used to compile this description: NLW, Thomas Edward Ellis Collection; NLW, Thomas Edward Ellis Collection (Additional Papers); Dictionary of Welsh Biography down to 1940 (London, 1959); Wyn Griffith, Thomas Edward Ellis 1859-1899 (Llandybie, 1959).
Archivist's note
Compiled by Rhys Jones for the ANW project.