Gwyn A. Williams
Encyclopedia
Gwyn Alfred "Alf" Williams (30 September 1925 - 16 November 1995) was a Welsh
historian particularly known for his work on Antonio Gramsci
and Francisco Goya
as well as on Welsh history
.
situated above the industrial metropolis of Merthyr Tydfil
. He attended the Cyfarthfa
Grammar School and later read History at University College Wales, Aberystwyth. During World War II
, he joined the British Army and fought at Normandy. Williams received his doctorate for a dissertation later published as Medieval London: from commune to capital.
. He left Aberystwyth for the University of York
where he was Chair of History from 1965 to 1974. He moved back to Wales in 1974, becoming Professor of History at the University of Wales, Cardiff
, where he stayed until his retirement in 1983. Throughout his career, Williams was known as an exciting lecturer, capable of drawing large crowds from across the university. After his retirement, he continued to write, but he focused more and more on television and film, presenting, with Wynford Vaughan-Thomas
, a 13-part series on Welsh history entitled The Dragon Has Two Tongues.
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 particularly known for his work on Antonio Gramsci
Antonio Gramsci
Antonio Gramsci was an Italian writer, politician, political philosopher, and linguist. He was a founding member and onetime leader of the Communist Party of Italy and was imprisoned by Benito Mussolini's Fascist regime...
and Francisco Goya
Francisco Goya
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker regarded both as the last of the Old Masters and the first of the moderns. Goya was a court painter to the Spanish Crown, and through his works was both a commentator on and chronicler of his era...
as well as on Welsh history
History of Wales
The history of Wales begins with the arrival of human beings in the region thousands of years ago. Neanderthals lived in what is now Wales, or Cymru in Welsh, at least 230,000 years ago, while Homo sapiens arrived by about 29,000 years ago...
.
Life
Williams was born in the iron town of DowlaisDowlais
Dowlais is a village and community of the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales. As of 2001, it has a population of 6646.Dowlais is notable within Wales and Britain for its historic association with ironworking; once employing, through the Dowlais Iron Company, roughly 5,000 people, the works...
situated above the industrial metropolis of Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil is a town in Wales, with a population of about 30,000. Although once the largest town in Wales, it is now ranked as the 15th largest urban area in Wales. It also gives its name to a county borough, which has a population of around 55,000. It is located in the historic county of...
. He attended the Cyfarthfa
Cyfarthfa Castle
Cyfarthfa Castle is the former home of the Crawshay family, historical ironmasters of Cyfarthfa Ironworks in Park, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Despite appearing superficially to be a fortified building it is a house built in the style of a large mansion...
Grammar School and later read History at University College Wales, Aberystwyth. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he joined the British Army and fought at Normandy. Williams received his doctorate for a dissertation later published as Medieval London: from commune to capital.
Career
In 1954, Williams was appointed Lecturer in Welsh History at Aberystwyth where he worked with another historian of Wales David WilliamsDavid Williams (historian)
David Williams was a Welsh historian.From 1945 until his retirement in 1967, Williams was Professor of Welsh History in the University of Wales. He is best known for his classic History of Modern Wales.-References:...
. He left Aberystwyth for the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
where he was Chair of History from 1965 to 1974. He moved back to Wales in 1974, becoming Professor of History at the University of Wales, Cardiff
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
, where he stayed until his retirement in 1983. Throughout his career, Williams was known as an exciting lecturer, capable of drawing large crowds from across the university. After his retirement, he continued to write, but he focused more and more on television and film, presenting, with Wynford Vaughan-Thomas
Wynford Vaughan-Thomas
Lewis John Wynford Vaughan-Thomas CBE was a British newspaper journalist and radio and television broadcaster. In later life he took the name Vaughan-Thomas after his father....
, a 13-part series on Welsh history entitled The Dragon Has Two Tongues.
Publications
- Medieval London, 1963
- Artisans and Sans-Culottes, 1968
- Proletarian Order, 1975
- Goya and the Impossible Revolution, 1976
- Merthyr Rising, 1978
- Madoc: The Making of a Myth, 1979
- The Search for Beulah Land: the Welsh and the Atlantic Revolution, 1980
- The Welsh in Their History, 1982
- When Was Wales?, 1985
- Excalibur: the Search for Arthur, 1994