Peter O'Sullivan recently returned two books to the Llanrwst Library in north Wales that had been missing for over a century. The volumes were originally checked out in 1910 by his late grandfather,Walter Griffith Owen.
Paradise and King Lear return after 116 years
The two returned volumes, Paradise by John Milton and King Lear by William Shakespeare, had remained in the possession of the Owen family since 1910. According to the report, the books were kept safely at home for over a century, surviving the turmoil of two global conflicts. Peter O'Sullivan decided to bring the items back to the Llanrwst Library, where they were received with warmth by the staff.
The return of these specific titles highlights a rare instance of long-term preservation of public property. because the books remained in excellent condition despite their age, the manager of Llanrwst Library, Medi Ashton, confirmed that the works will now be integrated into the library's Cultural Heritage exhibition as part of a permanent collection.
The 6,032-penny debt waived by Llanrwst Library
The books contained original borrowing slips that detailed the strict rules of the early 20th century,which mandated a return period of one week and a penalty of one penny per week for overdue items. As the source reported, if the fines had been strictly enforced over the 116-year period, the total debt would have reached 6,032 pennies,which calculates to approximately £25 in modern terms.
In a gesture of goodwill, the Llanrwst Library waived all charges, ensuring that Peter O'Sullivan faced no financial penalty for his grandfather's century-long loan. this decision transforms a potential legal or financial liability into a community celebration of local history and family legacy.
Benjamin Armitage's 1884 donations and the town's library evolution
The returned books were part of a larger collection donated to the Llanrwst Public Library and Reading Room in the 1890s by Benjamin Armitage, a British industrialist.. While the books were borrowed in 1910, the physical copies themselves date back to 1884, making them artifacts of the Victorian era's approach to public literacy and industrial philanthropy.
This event has sparked a broader historical investigation by the Conwy Archive Service. Researchers have already uncovered that the town of Llanrwst has utilized 10 different locations to house its libraries since 1876. This pattern reflects a wider historiccal trend in the United Kingdom where local reading rooms evolved from private philanthropic gifts into formalized public services.
Walter Griffith Owen's journey from the World Wars to Mulberry Harbour
The long absence of the books is tied to the tumultuous life of Walter Griffith Owen, an avid reader whose military service interrupted his library habits. The report notes that Owen served in World War I and later worked at the Mulberry Harbour in Conwy during World War II, suggesting that the books were kept as personal comforts or family keepsakes during periods of global instability.
The return of the books serves as a tangible link to the military history of north Wales. By returning the items ,Peter O'Sullivan has provided local historians and school children with a concrete example of how individual lives in Llanrwst intersected with major 20th-century geopolitical events.
What remains unknown about the books' survival during the wars?
While the story provides a heartwarming conclusion, several details remain unverified. The source does not specify whether other family members attempted to return the books prior to Peter O'Sullivan's decision, nor does it explain the specific circumstances that led to the books being kept rather than lost during the displacements of the two World Wars. Furthermore, it remains unclear if the Llanrwst Library has other "lost" volumes from the Benjamin Armitage collection that might still be in private hands.
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