Event Type: Branch

Takes Place: 20th February 2027

Time: 11am

Venue: National Waterfront Museum, Swansea

Description: Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, fourth Baronet (1748–89), was the largest landowner in Wales, with estates extending across five Welsh counties including Merioneth, Denbighshire and Montgomeryshire, in addition to an estate in Shropshire. He was a Member of Parliament from 1772 until his death in 1789, and is not credited with making a single speech. Sir Watkin was also a keen patron of the arts. This paper locates the cultural activities and interests of the fourth Baronet Williams Wynn within the broader context of post-Namierite late eighteenth century culture, considers, who Sir Watkin's connections within these cultural pursuits were likely to have been and demonstrates that in the age of the club, concert and pleasure garden, leading an active cultural life was not incompatible with having an active political life. This paper challenges the Namierite view , which presented Sir Watkin’s varied cultural activities and interests as evidence of a lack of interest in political life, instead arguing that cultural interests could provide a background for political negotiations and lobbying.

How to book: No booking required

Price: Free

Email: historyliz1565@yahoo.com

Organiser: Swansea Branch

Lecturer: Dr Neil Howe

Comments: Neil’s MA Dissertation (University of Wales, Aberystwyth) examined the Political Life of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Fourth Baronet, he holds a PhD from the University of Nottingham and his doctoral thesis examined the representation of Charles James Fox in

Region: Wales

Branch: Swansea