Full Report for Listed Buildings


Summary Description of a Listed Buildings


Reference Number
21377
Building Number
 
Grade
II  
Status
Designated  
Date of Designation
18/02/1999  
Date of Amendment
18/02/1999  
Name of Property
Memorial to David Williams  
Address
 

Location


Unitary Authority
Caerphilly  
Community
Caerphilly  
Town
Caerphilly  
Locality
Caerphilly Centre  
Easting
315410  
Northing
186891  
Street Side
N  
Location
In the park overlooking the lake immediately S of Caerphilly Castle.  

Description


Broad Class
Commemorative  
Period
 

History
Erected 1911 as the result of fund-raising activity by a Memorial Committee, chaired by Lord Tredegar. Memorial dedicated to David Williams (1738 - 1816), writer, philosopher and politician who was born at Waen waelod, Watford. He was a pupil at Cwm of the Rev. David Williams (1709-84), who had begun the chapel at Watford. He entered the ministry, but only for a short time, before moving to London where he engaged himself in teaching and writing. In all, he wrote 26 books on a range of subjects including religion, liturgical reform, history and education. His writing attracted the attention of Benjamin Franklyn and they set up a religious group. His 'Liturgy on the Universal Principles of Religion and Morality' in 1776 received acclaim throughout Europe, and this was followed by a book in defence of the freedom of American colonists. He was invited to be a French citizen and to draw up details of a French constitution. In 1790 he established the Royal Literary Fund to support impoverished authors. He lived at the fund's headquarters in Soho where he died, and is buried at St Anne's, Soho. The memorial was erected nearly a century after his death by his admirers, who regarded him as one of the foremost Welshmen of his age and generation.  

Exterior
Obelisk of pale grey marble with pyramidal top. On a square base, the top edge of which has ogee moulding and a small pediment in the centre of each side. The memorial inscription to David Williams is on the S face of the base. Fixed to the obelisk above is a cast bust of David Williams, of bronze, or bronze-plated. The base is on a 5-tier sandstone platform. Located within a small enclosure of iron railings. There are 2 panels per side, the handrails swept up to the piers and with circular motifs.  

Interior
 

Reason for designation
Listed for its historic interest as a memorial to a man regarded as one of the foremost Welshmen of his generation.  

Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]





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