Thomas Darlington Papers

This collection consists of letters and other papers relating to Thomas Darlington. They include two letters from Thomas Darlington, writing from Queen's College, Taunton to the Reverend Thomas Hughes in 1889; eight letters to Darlington from various correspondents, including Professor Reginald W. Phillips of Bangor, John Young Evans of Trefeca College, Professor Edward Anwyl of Aberystwyth and the Reverend J. Evans, vicar of Llangynllo, Radnorshire, mainly relating to linguistic matters, dated 1901-1902; eight letters to the Reverend Thomas Hughes from members of Darlington's family concerning his papers, dated 1922-1924.

Also includes a file of notes by Thomas Darlington on dialectical boundaries in mid Wales, etc; and an offprint of his obituary by J.L. Paton in The Eagle, June 1908.

Thomas Darlington (1864-1908), scholar and inspector of schools was born in Cheshire, educated at Whitchurch grammar school, the Leys school and St John's College, Cambridge. He graduated in classics with a BA from the University College London in 1884, MA (London) in 1887, and was gold medal winner. In 1887, he became assistant master at Rugby school and was headmaster of Queen's College, Taunton from 1888 to 1896.

Although unsuccessful in his application for the post of principal of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1891, he came to Wales five years later as a government school inspector and lived in Aberystwyth until his death. A notable linguist, he was proficient in many modern European languages, including Welsh and wrote many articles in Welsh and English on Welsh literary and political subjects. He was married to Annie Edith Bainbridge with whom he had one son and three daughters.

Material is arranged in chronological order and incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts .

Open to all users

Material was received, from members of Thomas Darlington's family by Reverend Thomas Hughes of Llangefni and presented by the latter to the University of Wales, Bangor.

Description compiled by Anne Lenaghan, December 2001.

Item level word-processed list is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales, Bangor. Reference numbers: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts: 15540-15559

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.