Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1766-1981 (accumulated [c. 1880]-1989) (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
0.924 cubic metres (93 boxes)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
William George (1865-1967), solicitor, of Criccieth, Caernarfonshire, is best known as the younger brother of David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor (1863-1945). His father died before he was born, and as a child he was profoundly influenced by his uncle, Richard Lloyd ('Uncle Lloyd'). Although he was joined by his brother in the family legal practice, Lloyd George and George, it was William who was responsible for establishing the business, in Criccieth in 1885, and for running it thereafter, devoting many of the profits to his brother's political career. It was this financial backing which made it possible for Lloyd George to sit as a Member of Parliament at Westminster from his election in 1890 until his entry into the Cabinet as President of the Board of Trade in 1905, and it is clear from their correspondence that Lloyd George placed great importance on his brother's judgement. William George was elected to Caernarfon County Council in 1907, becoming chairman in 1911, and he remained a member until his death in 1967, chairing the Education Committee from 1916 to 1948. A committed Baptist, he campaigned for the extension of the use of the Welsh language in legislation and public administration, especially the courts and the education system, and he was the honorary solicitor to the court and council of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1937 until 1956. In 1910 he married Anita Williams, who gave birth to twin sons, one of whom died in infancy; Anita died in June 1943. William George collected many papers of and relating to his siblings, ancestors and other relatives, especially David Lloyd George, and his interest in this field was shared and continued by his son, William Richard Philip George.
Archival history
From William George's death in 1967 until 1989, the archive appears to have remained in the custody of his son, William Richard Philip George, who added to it in the course of his researches on David Lloyd George.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Purchased, 1989, with the financial assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Two additional items, 5a and 7942a, were purchased August 2007.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of William George, Criccieth, consisting of his personal and family correspondence, diaries and notes, 1881-1960, and papers relating to his publications and public life (including political, legal, religious and Welsh cultural material), 1883-1958, together with diaries, 1881-1915, of Richard Lloyd ('Uncle Lloyd'), and a considerable amount of correspondence and other papers relating to members of the George family, the Lloyd family and the Lloyd George family, 1766-1981. Of particular interest is a very substantial group of papers of David Lloyd George, including: correspondence with William George, mostly 1886-1918; diaries, 1878-1892; letters from prominent politicians, 1879-1913; other letters, including many to family members, 1883-1928; letters from his secretaries, 1906-1963; and working drafts and notes in preparation for his speeches.
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
Arranged into the following: David Lloyd George; Dame Margaret Lloyd George; children of David and Margaret Lloyd George; William George; Richard Lloyd ('Uncle Lloyd'); Mary Ellen Davies; Captain Phillip Davies; W. R. P. George; family papers; miscellanea.
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
Computer file (Images); Hawlfraint: Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru, 2003. = Copyright: The National Library of Wales, 2003. All requests for permission to reproduce any image must be submitted in writing to The Librarian, The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3BU, UK.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
English, Welsh.
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
Digital version available https://www.library.wales/digital-exhibitions-space/digital-exhibitions/david-lloyd-george/david-lloyd-george-letters (February 2021)
Related units of description
Publication note
George, William, My Brother and I (London, 1958); du Parcq, Herbert, Life of David Lloyd George (4 vols, London, 1912-22); George, William Richard Philip, The Making of Lloyd George (London, 1976) and Lloyd George: Backbencher (Llandysul, 1983).
Notes area
Note
Title supplied from contents of fonds.
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
Project identifier
Access points
Subject access points
- Politicians -- Wales -- Archives
- Politicians -- Wales -- Correspondence.
- Politicians -- Wales -- Diaries.
- Politicians -- Great Britain -- Archives.
- Election districts -- Wales -- Caernarfon.
- Caernarfon (Wales) -- Politics and government
- Wales -- Politics and government -- 19th century
- Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 19th century
- Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Wales -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Caernarvonshire (Wales) -- Politics and government -- 20th century
Place access points
Name access points
- George, William, 1865-1967 -- Archives (Subject)
- Lloyd George, David, 1863-1945 -- Diaries (Subject)
- Lloyd George, David, 1863-1945. (Subject)
- Lloyd, Richard, 1834-1917. (Subject)
- Lloyd George, Margaret, 1866-1941 (Subject)
- George family, of Criccieth -- Archives (Subject)
- Lloyd family, of Llanystumdwy -- Archives (Subject)
- Lloyd George family -- Archives. (Subject)
- George family, of Criccieth. (Subject)
- Lloyd George family (Subject)
- Lloyd family, of Llanystumdwy. (Subject)
- Lloyd George, David, 1863-1945 -- Archives (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
Archivist's note
Compiled by David Moore for the ANW project. The following sources were consulted in the compilation of this description: NLW, Schedule of William George Papers; Dictionary of Welsh Biography, 1941-1970 (London, 2001);