Papers of William Ellis Williams

Comprises:

• Correspondence and papers relating to aeronautics, 1904-1914. Much of the correspondence is with firms specialising in aeronautical equipment; there are other letters from H.R. Davies of Treborth, Bangor, who gave financial backing to W.E. Williams in the construction of a monoplane in 1910.
• Correspondence between Williams and Humber Ltd., relating to an invention for the improvement of the balancing of motorcar engines, May 1911.
• Correspondence between Williams and the agent of the Stewart-Dam Estate, Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal, regarding the silica content of sand found on the estate, 1914-15.
• Testimonials and references in support of Williams's applications for a university fellowship and for the post of Assistant Lecturer in Physics at UCNW, 1897-1906.
• Agreements between Williams and others regarding the prospecting and working of minerals on properties in Llandegai, Caernarfonshire, and Llanddeusant, Llanfflewin and Llanrhuddlad in Anglesey, 1909-1912. Also contains a report on the Cwmgraeanog and Marchlyn copper mine.
• Copies of articles by William Ellis Williams published in aeronautical journals: The Centre of Gravity (Aeronautics, December 1909); The Stresses on Aeroplane Framework (Aeronautics, July 1911); A New Method for the Measurement of Air Resistance on Planes and Curved Surfaces (Aeronautics, November 1911); The Pressure Distribution on an Aeroplane Wing in Flight (The Aeronautical Journal, October 1914) .

William Ellis Williams (1881-1962), formerly independent lecturer and Professor in Electrical Engineering at University College of North Wales, Bangor. His professional interests were wide, ranging from aeronautics, hydroelectricity to radio and television. He and his colleague, Professor Bryan, a lecturer in maths at the University, designed, built and flew their own aeroplane, in the years immediately before the First World War.

Material was received at different times, is arranged according to type and incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts .

Open to all users

Description compiled by Anne Lenaghan, February 2002.

Item level word-processed list is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales, Bangor. Reference numbers: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts: 20801-20810, 36024-36027

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

The papers of H.R. Davies are also held at the Archives Department of the University of Wales, Bangor. See HE Archives Hub

William Ellis Williams's articles published in:

• Aeronautics, December 1909, July and November 1911.
• The Aeronautical Journal, October 1914 .( Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society, London).