Iolo Aneurin Williams
Captain Iolo Aneurin Williams, was a British writer, journalist and Liberal Party politician. His son was the composer Edward Williams.
Background
Williams was born in Middlesbrough, the son of Aneurin Williams, who was a Liberal member of parliament. He was the brother of Ursula Williams who was also a Liberal politician. He was educated at Rugby School and King's College, Cambridge. In 1920 he married Francion Elinor Dixon. They had one son and two daughters.Folk Song Collecting
Williams began collecting folk songs in the area around his home in Hindhead in 1912. He would cycle around the countryside and make contact with potential sources, sometimes with the assistance of the local Vicar. Being unable to write down the tunes he collected only the words. When he had sufficient sets of words he would return with either Clive Carey or Frederick Keel who would note the tunes. His collecting ceased with the outbreak of the 1st World War. After war he succeeded Frederick Keel as Honorary Secretary of the Folk Song Society.Military Service
Williams began as a volunteer driver for the B.R.C.S. He was given a temporary commission of Lieutenant in the West Yorkshire Regiment and was later promoted to Captain. The only record available is his Medal Index Card which does not give any dates.Professional career
Williams was Bibliographical Correspondent of the London Mercury from 1920–1939. He made contributions to the Dictionary of National Biography and the Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature. He was a published poet and writer.Publications
- Poems, 1915
- New Poems, 1919
- Byways Round Helicon, 1922
- Shorter Poems of the 18th Century, 1923
- Seven 18th Century Bibliographies, 1924
- Editor: plays of Sheridan, 1926
- Elements of Book-Collecting, 1927
- Poetry To-day, 1927
- Where the Bee Sucks, 1929
- The Firm of Cadbury, 1931
- Points in 18th Century Verse, 1934
- English Folk Song and Dance, 1935
- Flowers of Marsh and Stream, 1946
- Early English Water-Colours, 1952