National library’s appeal for Aneurin Bevan archives

To mark Aneurin Bevan’s birthday on November 15, 1897, the Welsh Political Archive at The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth is launching an appeal for material about his life and work.

Bevan (pictured) stands amongst the most famous and influential Welsh politicians, serving as MP for Ebbw Vale from 1929-‘60, as a government minister and deputy leader of the Labour Party. His most celebrated achievement came when, as Minister for Health and Housing in the reforming post-war Labour government, he was responsible for establishing the National Health Service.

The library holds copies of his books, including ‘In Place of Fear’ and the archives of his agent and Ebbw Vale Labour Party secretary Cllr. Ron Evans, but it is eager to collect more material about the work of this important man.

Rob Phillips, assistant archivist at the Welsh Political Archive, said: “Aneurin Bevan is a central figure in Welsh and British politics and we’re keen to collect more material about his life and work so that it will be available to all who want to know more about his contribution to modern Wales.

“We’re looking for all kinds of material; photographs, letters, leaflets, posters, booklets and so on, so that we can create a new collection to make his 120th birthday in 2017. We’d be delighted to hear from anyone who has material which they would be prepared to donate to the library.”

The Welsh Political Archive is a dedicated programme within the National Library of Wales to collect, store, catalogue and promote archival material which reflects the political life of Wales. The library holds the archives of the main political parties in Wales, along with those of individual politicians and campaign groups.

Further Information:
Elin- Hâf 01970 632471 or post@llgc.org.uk