As befitted the son of a wealthy coal baron from the Aberdare valley, Gwilym Williams of Miskin Manor held a prominent place in South Wales society during the Victorian era.
After completing his schooling at Cowbridge Grammar School, Swansea Normal College and in Rouen in France, Gwilym trained as a barrister and was called to the Bar in 1863. That summer he also made his one and only appearance for Glamorganshire, playing against Carmarthenshire at Llanelly House, scoring 0 and 22.
He was also a member of the South Wales Cricket Club and during June 1861 he played for them against Clifton CC, Lansdown CC and Purton CC, besides in July going on their London tour and featuring in the matches at The Oval and Lord’s.
His legal duties prevented Gwilym for playing further for either the South Wales club or Glamorganshire, but he served on the county’s committee between 1874 and 1876, as well as becoming a Vice-President of Glamorgan County Cricket Club when they were formed in 1888. His son Jestyn also played for Glamorgan between 1890 and 1893.
Gwilym served as a Stipendiary Magistrate for Pontypridd and the Rhondda from 1872, In 1884 he became a County Court judge and acted as Chair of Glamorgan Quarter Sessions for nineteen years. Like his father, David Williams (who was known by his Bardic name of Alaw Goch), Gwilym was also an avid supporter of Welsh culture and the Eisteddfod.
A bronze statue was created in Gwilym’s memory in 1910 by Sir William Goscombe John and stands alongside the Law Courts in Cardiff Civic Centre and adjacent to Boulevard de Nantes, with Gwilym being depicted in court dress.
WILLIAMS, Gwilym
Born: Ynyscynon, Aberdare, 2 May 1839.
Died: Miskin Manor, 25 March 1906.