Lewis Lloyd, 1939-97: a tribute by Bryn Parry

Dr. Lewis William Lloyd prided himself on being a man of Meirionnydd, and devoted a large part of his life to recording its past and, in particular, its maritime tradition. Born in London in 1939, he returned to Meirionnydd with his family in 1953. He had an outstanding academic career. He was educated at Barmouth County School and Ysgol Ardudwy, Harlech, and then went to UCW Aberystwyth in 1957, where he gained a first in Law in 1960. After two years studying Law at Cambridge, he then spent three years at the Australian National University, Canberra, where he gained a Ph.D. for a pioneering thesis on Australian mining law. He lectured in Law at the University of Leeds for two years before returning to Meirionnydd to take up a post as Tutor (later Senior Tutor) in Politics at Coleg Harlech in 1968. A popular lecturer, he retired in 1992 and was then able to devote all his time to research and publication.

He was a prolific author, with an early study of Barmouth, published in 1974, being followed by Letters from America (with Aled Eames and Bryn Parry, 1975), The Unity of Barmouth (1977), The Amity of Aberdyfi (1983), The Brig Susannah of Aberdyfi (1984), The Book of Harlech (1986), Australians from Wales (1988), The Port of Caernarfon (1989), Pwllheli, the Port and Mart of Llyn (1991), Wherever Freights May Offer: the Maritime Community of Barmouth (1993) and De Winton's of Caernarfon (1994). His final work, a two volume study of Aberdyfi, A Proper Little Seaport, was published in 1996.

These were substantial volumes in all senses of the word, and reflect a record of sustained publication which must be unrivalled in maritime historical studies. In addition, he published numerous articles in various journals, including that of the Merioneth Historical & Record Society, of which he was a leading member. A founder editor of Cymru a'r Môr/Maritime Wales, he contributed regularly to that journal. His friends and colleagues were anticipating the publication of a book on Welsh emigration to America which he was researching at the time of his death. He was an indefatigable lecturer to all manner of societies, and also made a major contribution to the field of continuing education.

A man of many talents, he was widely known for his kindness and generosity. The information and knowledge that he had acquired over the years was freely made available to all who enquired. A true bon viveur, his enthusiasm for life made him a most popular and colourful character. Above all, he was deeply proud of his Welshness and his local roots in Ardudwy; a fitting epitaph would be his much loved quotation, 'Canmol dy fro, a thrig yno'.

He is survived by his brother Ellis and sister Margaret, to whose families he was deeply devoted.

Article by Dr. Lewis Lloyd: Aberdyfi, its Shipping and its Seamen (1565-1907)