July 27, 2022

Past President – Eurwyn Wiliam

Eurwyn Wiliam, MA, PhD, FSA

Eurwyn Wiliam studied archaeology at University College Cardiff and was appointed to the then Welsh Folk Museum (now St. Fagans National Museum of History) in 1971 where he was responsible for the site’s programme of re-erecting historic buildings. His most notable acquisitions included the Rhyd-y-car terrace of workers’ houses from Merthyr Tudful, the Gwalia Stores from Ogmore Vale and Llandeilo Tal-y-bont church. After ending his time at St. Fagans as Director he became Director of Collections & Research and Deputy Director General of the National Museum, and was appointed an Emeritus Keeper on retirement.

His academic interests have centred on historical farm buildings and lesser domestic architecture, particularly the building traditions of the rural poor. He has written numerous papers and books as well as lecturing extensively on both aspects. More latterly he has become increasingly interested in historiography, and during the lockdowns was able to complete an academic biography of Iorwerth Peate.

He has served on the Historic Buildings Council for Wales and the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments for Wales (member and then Chairman), and as a trustee of the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust. He is a Patron of the Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group, President of the Welsh Mills Society and of the Ethnology and Folk Life section of the Society of Past Students of the University of Wales, a member of the Strata Florida Trust, and Chairman of the Nantgarw China Works Trust.

 

 

Eurwyn Wiliam Presidential Address 2021: the study of vernacular architecture in Wales