Alumni Day Display
George Powell of Nanteos 1842-1882
George Powell belonged to a family which had strong connections with Cardiganshire; several members of the family represented the county in Parliament. He was educated at Eton and Brasenose College, Oxford and spent his life in pursuits befitting a gentleman; travelling, collecting, literature and music occupied most of his time. For some years he spent little time at Nanteos, the family mansion near Aberystwyth, since his relations with his father were very bad. He spent much time abroad but since no diaries or journals appear to exist we cannot follow the progress of all his travels. He travelled extensively in Europe and visited Iceland and North Africa. After 1878, when he succeeded to the Nanteos estate, he spent more time in Wales. In 1880-81 he was High Sheriff of Cardigan. In the latter year he married, but died childless in October 1882. He is buried in the churchyard of Llanbadarn Fawr.
George Powell gave and bequeathed many books, manuscripts and works of art to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. He had originally intended to give his collections to the town of Aberystwyth as the nucleus of a museum, but he withdrew the gift when a suitable building was not forthcoming. He left many volumes of music to the Musical College of Wales founded by Dr Joseph Parry; this material later came to the University College of Wales.