Davies, Gwendoline (1882–1951)
Davies, Gwendoline (1882–1951)
Welsh philanthropist, art collector, and patron of the arts. Name variations: The Ladies of Gregynog. Born Gwendoline Elizabeth Davies in Llandinam, Montgomeryshire, Wales, Feb 11, 1882; died in Oxford, July 3, 1951; dau. of Edward (1852–98) and Margaret Jones Davies (d. 1888); stepdau. and niece of Elizabeth Jones Davies (1853–1942), the 1st woman magistrate in Montgomeryshire; sister of Margaret Davies (1884–1963) and David Davies (1880–1944, Liberal MP and parliamentary private secretary to David Lloyd George); never married; no children.
Patron of art, fine printing and music, who was one half of The Ladies of Gregynog; with sister, collected art from 1908, was a major benefactor of charities and cultural institutions in Wales (c. 1914–50), ran canteen for allied troops at Troyes and Rouen (1916–18), purchased Gregynog Hall, Montgomeryshire, as an art center (1920), organized concerts and festivals of music and poetry (1921–38), founded Gregynog Press (1922), and founded Gwendoline and Margaret Davies Trusts (1934). Awarded Companion of Honor (1937).
See also Gregynog (ed. by Hughes, Morgan, and Thomas, U. of Wales Press, 1977); Dorothy A. Harrop, A History of the Gregynog Press (1980); Ian Parrott, The Spiritual Pilgrims (Walters, 1969); Lady Eirene White, The Ladies of Gregynog (U. of Wales Press, 1985); and Women in World History.