William Lewis, 1st Baron Merthyr

William Thomas Lewis, 1st Baron Merthyr
Born	Template:Birth date Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire, Wales
Died	August 27, 1914(1914-08-27) (aged 77)
Occupation(s)	Industrialist, coal mine owner
Years active	1855–1914
Known for	Welsh coal industry; founder of Lewis Merthyr Consolidated Collieries Limited; owner of Senghenydd Colliery

William Thomas Lewis, 1st Baron Merthyr (5 August 1837 – 27 August 1914), previously titled Sir William Lewis, 1st Baronet between 1896 and 1911, was a prominent figure in the Welsh coal industry.

Early life

Lewis was born in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire, in 1837 as the second son of Thomas William Lewis, who worked as an engineer. He received his education locally until the age of thirteen before undertaking an apprenticeship under his father. In 1855, he became the assistant to W. S. Clark, the chief mining engineer for John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute, ultimately succeeding Clark in 1864. That same year, he married Anne Rees, the granddaughter of Lucy Thomas, a notable pioneer in the Welsh steam-coal industry. The couple had two sons and six daughters.

Lewis initially worked at the Bute-owned coal mines situated in southern Wales. Between 1870 and 1880, he acquired several mines in the Rhondda Valley and established Lewis Merthyr Consolidated Collieries Limited. Additionally, he founded the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coal Association as a response to the increasing influence of trade unions.

Public life

His public career commenced in 1866 when he joined the Aberdare Local Board of Health. During the 1889 Glamorgan County Council election for the Hirwaun ward, Lewis was accused of denying land for nonconformist chapels—a charge he openly refuted by presenting letters from respected community leaders. His widespread personal support enabled him to defeat Liberal contender Richard Morgan and secure a position as alderman. He fulfilled a six-year term on the council and chose not to stand for re-election afterward.

Later career

In 1896, Lewis was granted the title of Baronet of Nantgwyne and later elevated to the peerage as Baron Merthyr, of Senghenydd in Glamorgan, in 1911. He received knighthood in 1885, was appointed Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 1907, and further honored with promotion to Knight Grand Cross (GCVO) in 1912. His service included holding the office of High Sheriff of Brecknockshire in 1884 and being awarded the Freedom of Cardiff in 1905.

Lady Lewis passed away at Hean Castle, Saundersfoot, in October 1902. Lord Merthyr died aged 77 in August 1914 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Herbert. A statue sculpted by Thomas Brock was unveiled in Aberdare Park in 1913 to commemorate him.

Senghenydd colliery disaster

Lord Merthyr owned Senghenydd Colliery, which suffered a devastating explosion on 14 October 1913 that resulted in the deaths of 439 miners and one rescuer—making it the deadliest mining tragedy recorded in United Kingdom history. After a formal inquiry into safety breaches at the mine, both Lord Merthyr and the colliery manager were collectively fined £24.

Bibliography

• Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
• Brief overview of Lord Merthyr’s career at www.archivesnetworkwales.co.uk