Dr Daniel Huws awarded Honorary Doctorate of Literature at Class of 2023 Graduation
Dr Daniel Huws has today (7 July) received an Honorary Doctorate of Literature at the University’s summer graduation ceremonies.
Dr Daniel Huws came to the National Library of Wales in 1961 as an archivist. His interest in medieval manuscripts was stirred in 1967, and his many publications have transformed our understanding of our literary heritage. By the time of his retirement in 1992 he had long been recognised as the leading authority in his field, and in 1996 he began working on his magnum opus, A Repertory of Welsh Manuscripts and Scribes c.800–c.1800. The work was published by the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies and the National Library of Wales in 2022 and launched at the ‘Welsh Manuscripts’ conference held in June in the company of Prif Weinidog Cymru, the Right Honourable Mark Drakeford MS.
At today’s ceremony, he was honoured in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Welsh scholarship and history. Presenting Dr Daniel Huws to the congregation was Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies (CAWCS) Director. She commented:
“It is my great pleasure and honour to present Daniel Huws for an Honorary Doctorate at the University. Daniel Huws is one of our nation’s greatest scholars and an international authority on manuscripts.
“Just over a year ago, at the end of June 2022, on the eve of Daniel’s eightieth birthday, we were at the National Library in Aberystwyth launching his masterpiece, ‘A Repertory of Welsh Manuscripts and Scribes circa 800 to circa 1800’, in the company of the First Minister Wales, Mark Drakeford. It was our privilege at the Center for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies and this University, together with the National Library of Wales, to publish these volumes which have now found their way to libraries and readers all over the world.
“In closing, can I thank you Daniel on behalf of all the researchers at the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies (CAWCS) throughout the years and my predecessors as Directors too, for your advice, from the very first project ‘Beirdd y Tywysogion’, and then ‘Beirdd yr Uchelwyr’ and ‘Guto’r Glyn’. Your contribution was key in developing an innovative editorial policy for editing the poetry.
“Reference was made to the special relationship between us as a University and the national Library. Your contribution is proof of that relationship and a cornerstone for the future.”
On receiving the award, Dr Daniel Huws, commented:
“Firstly, I must thank the University of Wales Trinity Saint David for this unexpected honour – I am extremely grateful to the university.
“Thanks also to Professor Medwin Hughes. He has taken a keen interest in the Repertory and his support has been crucial. Thank you.
“Although my name is on the work, the Repertory has been dependent on a number of people. There would be nothing there if it were not for the support, I have received from so many people. I’d like to give a special mention Dr Gruffudd Antur – you are going to see great things from him in the future.
“I will finish by expressing a few words of congratulations and hopes for the future – I wish Professor Medwin Hughes all the best for the future, and I wish well to his successor Professor Elwen Evans as she takes over his responsibilities. I’d like to wish well to everybody who has graduated or received honours here today - and I wish them well and I’m sure that the fruits of their education in Lampeter will be seen widely. Diolch yn fawr iawn.”
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