David Matthews (1926-2021)
The theme of books and reading ran deeply through David’s life with a Cambridge degree in English Literature from Downing College, Cambridge, then a career as public librarian in Westminster library followed by time at the northern branch of the National library for the Blind. His was a world filled with books and he ably shared his love of learning. He arrived as a lecturer at the College of Librarianship Wales in Aberystwyth in 1968, shortly after it was founded in 1964, and stayed then until he retired in 1991..
His career in libraries came full circle in Aberystwyth where he reformed old bonds with former colleagues from the Westminster Library in London. Firstly Ronald Sturt encouraged his interest in teaching Librarianship. On arrival at CLW he discovered Tony Curwen, and his wife, Jean, and Tony has shared fond memories of their parallel professional career paths. "We treasured the friendship of David and Celia, expanded and reinforced not only by professional interests at CLW, but also by a love of shared interests, most of all a love of fine music." And June Wilson, Chair of Aberystwyth Choral Society adds: "We have lost two true friends in music."
David held the Bibliographical Society dear to his heart, and the last book he embarked on reading was Richard Ovenden's BURNING THE BOOKS, A History of Knowledge under Attack, which he read with keen interest.
His personal library of books starts at Pliny the Elder and runs through 18th century rare books to 20th century authors. David could tell you the background to every book’s purchase and quote from memory large chunks. His favourite author, Henry James, formed the subject of a lecture given in 2007 to the Aberystwyth Bibliographic Group. Entitled In the Steps of the “Master”; reading Henry James, the title says it all.
David died on April 19 2021 and his wife, Celia, died on 11 December 2020. Their enthusiasm and commitment to the arts was evidenced by their involvement as Friends of the Arts Centre, Friends of Ceredigion Museum, Friends of MOMA Machynlleth, and they regularly visited the National Library of Wales, which we are so fortunate to have here on our doorstep. This era of COVID leaves a changed cultural landscape and it will not be the same when the world returns to normality once more. And so we have reached the end, of David's widely read, and widely travelled and deeply, kindly, lived life.