Goronwy Edwards
Encyclopedia
Sir Goronwy Edwards F.B.A. (1891 – June 20, 1976) was a Welsh
historian. After 29 years as a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford
, he spent 12 years as Director of the Institute of Historical Research
and Professor of History at the University of London
.
before he could read English, was educated at Holywell
Grammar School before matriculating
at Jesus College, Oxford
in 1909. After obtaining his degree in 1913, he worked for a time at Manchester University before serving with the Royal Welch Fusiliers
during the First World War. He obtained the rank of captain and served in France. In 1919, he returned to Jesus College as Fellow and Tutor in History, where he specialised in medieval English and Welsh history, serving also as Senior Tutor for 13 years. He was highly regarded as a lecturer, tutor and supervisor of research students. He was joint editor of the English Historical Review from 1938 and was appointed a Fellow of the British Academy in 1943. He had hoped to be appointed Principal of the college when it fell vacant on the death of Alfred Hazel
. Instead, the decision was taken to appoint Frederick Ogilvie
as principal, with Edwards becoming vice-principal.
In 1948, Edwards accepted the invitation to become Director of the Institute of Historical Research
and Professor of History at the University of London
. In addition to his continuing scholarship, he also presided over many committees with, it was said, "exemplary patience". In addition, he served on the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments in Wales and Monmouthshire, and the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts. He was knighted
in July 1960, shortly before his retirement. He was president of the Royal Historical Society
from 1961 to 1965.
He was awarded the Cymmrodorion medal on his eightieth birthday to mark his service to Wales. He died on 20 June 1976 at the age of 85.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
historian. After 29 years as a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
, he spent 12 years as Director of the Institute of Historical Research
Institute of Historical Research
The Institute of Historical Research is a British educational organisation providing resources and training for historical researchers. It is part of the School of Advanced Study in the University of London and is located at Senate House. The Institute was founded in 1921 by A. F...
and Professor of History at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
.
Biography
Edwards, who was proficient in WelshWelsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
before he could read English, was educated at Holywell
Holywell
Holywell is the fifth largest town in Flintshire, North Wales, lying to the west of the estuary of the River Dee.-History:The market town of Holywell takes its name from the St Winefride's Well, a holy well surrounded by a chapel...
Grammar School before matriculating
Matriculation
Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...
at Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
in 1909. After obtaining his degree in 1913, he worked for a time at Manchester University before serving with the Royal Welch Fusiliers
Royal Welch Fusiliers
The Royal Welch Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division. It was founded in 1689 to oppose James II and the imminent war with France...
during the First World War. He obtained the rank of captain and served in France. In 1919, he returned to Jesus College as Fellow and Tutor in History, where he specialised in medieval English and Welsh history, serving also as Senior Tutor for 13 years. He was highly regarded as a lecturer, tutor and supervisor of research students. He was joint editor of the English Historical Review from 1938 and was appointed a Fellow of the British Academy in 1943. He had hoped to be appointed Principal of the college when it fell vacant on the death of Alfred Hazel
Alfred Hazel
Alfred Ernest William Hazel CBE KC was a British Liberal Party Member of Parliament and legal academic at the University of Oxford....
. Instead, the decision was taken to appoint Frederick Ogilvie
Frederick Ogilvie
Sir Frederick Wolff Ogilvie was Director-General of the BBC from 19 July 1938 to 26 January 1942, and was succeeded by joint Directors-General Cecil Graves and Robert W. Foot. He was knighted on 10 June 1942....
as principal, with Edwards becoming vice-principal.
In 1948, Edwards accepted the invitation to become Director of the Institute of Historical Research
Institute of Historical Research
The Institute of Historical Research is a British educational organisation providing resources and training for historical researchers. It is part of the School of Advanced Study in the University of London and is located at Senate House. The Institute was founded in 1921 by A. F...
and Professor of History at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
. In addition to his continuing scholarship, he also presided over many committees with, it was said, "exemplary patience". In addition, he served on the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments in Wales and Monmouthshire, and the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts. He was knighted
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
in July 1960, shortly before his retirement. He was president of the Royal Historical Society
Royal Historical Society
The Royal Historical Society was founded in 1868. The premier society in the United Kingdom which promotes and defends the scholarly study of the past, it is based at University College London...
from 1961 to 1965.
He was awarded the Cymmrodorion medal on his eightieth birthday to mark his service to Wales. He died on 20 June 1976 at the age of 85.