Welsh Journals

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THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WELSHMEN TO SCIENCE, ByT. IORWERTH JONES, M.Sc., A.R.C.S., D.I.C. (Of the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington) Very little pains have been taken, by natives or neighbours, to illustrate the History or Antiquities of this part of the Island. Yet Antiquity is the glory of every Welshman and the spirit of com- petition with the later inhabitants of England, one would have expected, should fire their hearts with a desire to be known and celebrated beyond them. If their ancestors could not spare time to write about a territory which they could hardly defend, their descendants, with secure tenure, have all the helps a living language and original Records can afford." -Footnote by John Nichols, editor of 1811 edition of The History of the Worthies of England, by Thomas Fuller (1662). INTRODUCTION THIS long-overdue attempt to render an account of the activities of Welshmen in the realm of Science originated with a subject set for competition at the National Eisteddfod held in Liverpool in 1929. The task of identifying the nationality and the birthplace even of men of recognised distinction did not always prove easy. Nevertheless, diligent search has mustered a noble company of contributors in whose ranks, it is hoped, there are no conspicuous gaps. On the whole, a comparatively high standard has been set which will explain why some familiar names, but of doubtful scientific standing, have been omitted. A cursory glance will convince the reader that the contributions under discussion were made by isolated individuals rarely associated with one another and as unlinked as is conceivable with earlier or later pre- 1 Delivered in the Council Room of the College of Preceptors, Bloomsbury Square, on 10th March, 1933. Chairman, Sir Robert Armstrong-Jones, M.D., C.B.E.