'In 1898 he took a step which was destined to have a momentous influence - he purchased the 'reversion' of the magnificent Peniarth (Merioneth) collection of manuscripts in Welsh, Latin, and other languages, his intention being to present this collection, when it became his absolute property, to the National Library of Wales, if that institution were established at Aberystwyth. In the meantime he worked hard to further the cause - speaking at public meetings, writing to the press, etc. His dream was realised when, in 1905, a committee of the Privy Council decided that Aberystwyth should be the home of the National Library and again, when, before the end of January 1909, he was able to transfer the Peniarth manuscripts (of which he had become the sole owner only a few weeks previously) to the National Library of Wales which had begun its career on the first day of that month in its temporary home, the Old Assembly Rooms, Aberystwyth.' -- William Llewelyn Davies

Source:
Davies, W. Ll., (1959). WILLIAMS, Sir JOHN (1840 - 1926), baronet, Court physician, principal founder of the National Library of Wales. Dictionary of Welsh Biography. Retrieved 23 Oct 2024, from https://biography.wales/article/s-WILL-JOH-1840