Welsh Journals

EDITORIAL THIS September, Professor David Williams retired, after having held the Sir John Williams chair of Welsh History at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, since 1945. Several of his former colleagues and pupils approached the Editor of this journal early in 1966 to suggest that it would be fitting that a special number of the WELSH HISTORY REVIEW be produced to mark the occasion, as a tribute to Professor Williams's contribution to Welsh historical scholarship. The History and Law Committee of the Board of Celtic Studies agreed with the Editor that this would indeed be most appropriate, especially since Professor Williams has himself been associated with this journal since it first appeared. This present issue is the result. It has been designed to illustrate the range of historical inquiry that has marked Professor Williams's career. The articles here reflect his concern, not only with the history of his native Wales, but also with the social and economic history of England, with the revolution of 1789 in France, and with emigration to the United States of America. All the contributors have been closely associated with him, either as colleagues at the University Colleges of Cardiff and Aberystwyth, or else as his pupils there or at Barry Grammar School. The readiness with which they offered to contribute is in itself testimony to the appropriateness of the original idea of a special number. It also, perhaps, reflects their sense of indebtedness to Professor Williams's guidance and inspiration, a feeling that many others share. It would not be fitting to refer in detail here to Professor Williams's immensely distinguished career; this is admirably recorded in Mr. Marquand's portrait, a personal impression by one who has been Professor Williams's colleague and friend for over forty years. Nor is it necessary to recall here those many volumes and learned articles which have been the fruits of Professor Williams's researches, since Dr. Ralph Griffiths has prepared a comprehensive bibliography of all Professor Williams's writings. Perhaps, however, the Editor may be allowed to conclude with a more personal word. He has known Professor David Williams intimately for more than ten years, first as the most formidable of doctoral examiners, subsequently as the wisest of counsellors and the most sympathetic of friends. It has given him deep personal satisfaction to be associated with this- volume. He hopes that it may be thought to be