John Iorwerth Roberts (1902-1970), of Birch Hill, Llangollen, Denbighshire, taught at various schools before becoming headteacher at Pentredwr County Primary School, Llandysilio-yn-Iâl, Denbighshire, 1945-1964. Iorwerth Roberts was secretary of the finance committee of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod; he was also a deacon and secretary of Rehoboth chapel, Llangollen, and secretary of the Ruabon district of Henaduriaeth Dwyrain Dinbych. He was financial secretary of Undeb Cymru Fydd. His main interest was local history in Llangollen, including the 1858 National Eisteddfod, and he was secretary/organiser of Workers' Educational Association and Local Education Authority classes in Llangollen. He lectured on a variety of subjects to these classes and to the Welsh Literary Society. He was a member of the Council of the Denbighshire Historical Society, and published several articles in its Transactions. He died on 17 March 1970.
Scope and content: Papers of J. I. Roberts, [c. 1800]-[1973], including deeds and other papers relating to properties in Llangollen, Denbighshire, 1802-1897; letters collected by Roberts, many relating to the 1858 National Eisteddfod at Llangollen, [1840]-1888; financial and other papers relating to Undeb Cymru Fydd, 1943-1957; miscellaneous documents collected by Roberts, relating mainly to Llangollen, [c. 1800]-1966; lecture notes by Roberts relating to various subjects, [1910]-[1973]; copies of the Llangollen Advertiser and other newspapers, 1807-1959; printed matter, 1854-1966; and photographs and photocopies used in a 1960 Llangollen Historical Exhibition, 1876-1960.