Founder's Day

The Founder’s Day lectures were initiated by Henry Neville Gladstone, with the support and encouragement of the Trustee Body, in 1931. Henry Neville was the last survivor of the children of Catherine and William Gladstone. 

Henry wrote:

‘We have aimed at selecting as lecturer one who had personal acquaintance with my Father.’

The Founder’s Day lectures were not held during the Second World War but recommenced in 1946. Through the editorial skills of (previous Warden Peter Jagger), a number of these lectures are still in print.

Nowadays, Founder's Day is held on the first Monday in July. You can view archived Founder's Days by scrolling back through the Event Calendar of our website.

To celebrate Founder’s Day 2018 here are a few items from the Library's early days...

Image: Minute book recording the first meeting of the St. Deiniol’s Library Board of Trustees, 17th December 1896

Image: A selection of archives relating to the inaugural Founder’s Day in 1931 including invitations, programmes and tickets

Image: Invitation to the first Founder's Day held on 3rd July 1931

References

Pritchard, T.W, A History of St Deiniol's Library. Chester (1999)

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Our Founder's Day display is on show in the History Room until 5th July 2018. To view as a visitor, join one of our daily Glimpses at 12pm, 2pm or 4pm.