They were anti-slavery campaigners, botanists, factory owners, pioneering photographers, radical Liberal politicians, writers, industrialists and scientists. In all these ways and others, Swansea’s Dillwyn family made an extraordinary contribution to the life of the city and the wider world.
A free one-day event on Friday 22 June will give people a chance to find out about the pioneering scientific, literary, political and cultural activities of the Dillwyn dynasty. It is part of a wider project on the Dillwyn family, being run by the University’s Centre for Research into the English Language and Literature of Wales.
The event takes place at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, and is open to anyone who is interested. It includes talks from experts on the Dillwyn family’s endeavours in everything from science and literature to politics and photography.
Dr Kirsti Bohata from Swansea University, who is leading the work on the Dillwyns, said:
The Dillwyns were once major players in science, politics and culture. Returning from America, William Dillwyn was a Quaker and prominent anti-slavery campaigner. His son, Lewis Weston Dillwyn, rooted the family in Wales in the early nineteenth-century and made an international name for himself as a botanist and owner of the Cambrian Pottery.
The next two generations would contribute to pioneering photography, radical Liberal politics, groundbreaking literature, not to mention industrial enterprise and science – and that was just the women.
All are welcome at this free event (10am – 5pm). Just turn up on the day.
Further information. Or call 02920 376971 or email [email protected]
