Judge Gwilym Williams (1839-1906)
Sir William Goscombe John, 1860-1952
Designed 1906-10; completed 1910
Bronze on a granite pedestal
Cathays Park, Cardiff, Wales
Judge Gwilym Williams was born in Aberdare, and rose to become judge of the county courts of Glamorgan from 1885 until his death in 1906.” by all accounts a formidable character, he looks unmistakably powerful and confident here in his court gown and wig, but also rather portly and something of a showman. In fact, "he was an ardent and patriotic Welshman" who "often presided over enthusiastic gatherings, addressed meetings of Cymmrodorion societies [for the promotion of the arts and sciences in Wales], and delivered lectures (in Welsh and English) to audiences in the industrial districts of South Wales" (Price). As usual, Goscombe John has caught the personality of the man brilliantly. The judge continues to welcome people to the capital in a prominent position outside Cardiff's splendid Edwardian City Hall.
Photograph and text by Jacqueline Banerjee, 2009.