A digital exhibition showcasing the life and work of David Lloyd George
To commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War, The National Library of Wales explores the life and work of ‘The Man Who Won the War.’
David Lloyd George (1863-1945) was probably the greatest international statesman to come from Wales. As a Liberal Member of Parliament he served in government as President of the Board of Trade (1905-08), Chancellor of the Exchequer (1908-15), Arms Minister (1915-16) and War Minister (1916). In 1916, at the height of the First World War, he became Prime Minister and held that office until 1922. He remained a backbencher until the end of his parliamentary career in 1944.
This exhibition, created to support the Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918 programme, presents the life and work of David Lloyd George, especially his role during the First World War.
The comprehensive exhibition on the life and work of David Lloyd George also features a range of original collections held at the Library and made available online for the first time. These include:
• J. Sylvester’s Photographic Collection (Principle Private Secretary of David Lloyd George),
• a collection of letters sent by David Lloyd George to his brother, William George,
• video clips, a diary and letters from Frances Stevenson to David Lloyd George, sent from the Versailles Peace Treaty.
Linda Tomos, Chief Executive and Librarian at The National Library of Wales said:
" These items offer a picture of David Lloyd George the Statesman at one of the most turbulent times in Britain and Europe’s 's modern history. It also provides a glimpse of the personal life of one of Wales' most famous sons and presents the wide variety of Lloyd George related material in the National Library’s collections. "
Dafydd Tudur, Head of Digital Access at The National Library of Wales added:
"This exhibition is the latest of a number of digital resources published by the Library in recent years to highlight the Welsh experience of the First World War. Among them is a manuscript of the winning poem ‘Arwr' by Hedd Wyn, the Welsh National Book of Remembrance, the Cardiganshire Great War Tribunals Records, D. C. Harries's military portraits, and hundreds of items on the cymru1914.org website. Lloyd George's career, and his role as Prime Minister, is part of the Welsh experience as it was and the experiences of those in the battlefield, their families and their communities."
Elin-Hâf 01970 632471 or post(at)llgc.org.uk