DANIEL OWEN MSS

Papers relating to Daniel Owen, 1858-1975, including items relating to his tailor's business, [c. 1875]-1891; letters, 1893-1895; printed and manuscript poetry and prose, 1883-1894; address to Mold electors, 1894; items relating to his death including his death certificate, 1895; items relating to the Daniel Owen Commemoration Fund, Memorial Stone, Memorial Statue and centenary celebrations, [c. 1899]-1958; photographs, [c. 1860]-1960, relating to Owen, his Memorial Statue and centenary celebrations; audio tape recordings of people who knew Daniel Owen, [20th century]; copies of books including some by and about Daniel Owen, 1878-1963; and correspondence of Daniel Owen Shop Protection Committee, 1968-1972.

Daniel Owen (1836-1895) was the first significant Welsh language novelist. A native of Mold, Flintshire, he worked for a local tailor. He began preaching in 1864, and attended Bala Calvinist Methodist College, 1865-1867. He returned to Mold to care for his mother and sister before finishing his course, and subsequently began his own tailor's business. He continued preaching until 1876, when his health deteriorated. From c. 1864 he began writing for periodicals such as Y Drysorfa. He wrote four novels, Y Dreflan (Holywell, 1881), Rhys Lewis (Wrexham, 1885), Enoc Huws (Wrexham, 1891) and Gwen Tomos (Wrexham, 1894), which were initially published in instalments in Y Drysorfa and Y Cymro. Y Siswrn (Mold, 1886) was a collection of his essays and Straeon y Pentan (Wrexham, 1895) a collection of his short stories. He was appointed Chairman of the new Mold Urban District Council in 1894, but died on 22 October 1895. Subsequently there have been several commemorations of Owen in Mold, including a Memorial Stone, a Memorial Statue and the Daniel Owen Shop Protection Committee, later the Memorial Room Committee.

Arranged into the following: Daniel Owen MSS (D/DM/521); Miscellaneous papers and photographs (D/DM/522); and correspondence and papers; books; and miscellaneous (D/DM/655).

No restrictions

Please order documents using the alternative reference number (where provided).

A hard copy of the catalogue is available at Flintshire Record Office.

Usual copyright regulations apply

All records have been retained

Accruals are not expected