WILKINS, CHARLES (Catwg; 1830 - 1913), writer
Pseudonym: Catwg
Date of birth: 1830
Date of death: 1913
Parent: William Wilkins
Gender: Male
Occupation: writer
Area of activity: History and Culture; Literature and Writing
Author: Edward Ivor Williams
Born at Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, 1830, son of William Wilkins, who left Stonehouse to settle in Merthyr Tydfil as a bookseller. In 1851, William Wilkins became postmaster of Merthyr Tydfil, and his son Charles served him as a clerk. Twenty years later the son succeeded the father as postmaster and retired pensioned in 1898, after forty-six years service in all. Charles Wilkins was librarian of Merthyr Tydfil Subscription Library for twenty years from its commencement in 1846. Thomas Stephens (Gwyddon) was secretary. He died at his residence, Springfield, Merthyr Tydfil, 2 August 1913.
Wilkins wrote prolifically, and mostly for the weekly newspapers of Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff. His chief works are: The History of Merthyr Tydfil, 1867 and 1908; The History of the Literature of Wales from 1300 to 1650, 1884 - an expansion of 'The History of the Literature of Gwent and Morganwg', the winning essay at the national eisteddfod, 1880; The History of the Coal Trade of South Wales, 1888; The History of the Iron, Steel, Tinplate and other Trades of Wales, 1903. He edited the magazine The Red Dragon , 1882-7.
Author
- Edward Ivor Williams, (1885 - 1958)
- South Wales Daily News, 4 August 1913
- The Merthyr Express, 9 August 1913
Sources
- Parish Baptism Register. Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. 1830. Baptism 12 September 1830. Charles Wilkins, parents William and Maria
- John Wilkins, "Charles Wilkins, Writer, 1830–1913: A Biographical Note by his Great Grandson", Merthyr Historian, 13, (2001) pp.5–18
- Wikipedia Article: Charles Wilkins
Further Reading
- Charles Wilkins, Buried alive!
- Charles Wilkins, Notable Men of Wales: Thomas Stephens (Cardiff 1882)
Works
Published date: 1959
Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-RUU/1.0/
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