Mary Williams

Mary Williams (1883–1977) was a distinguished Welsh academic of modern languages. She was one of the first woman appointed to a professorial title at a British university.

During 1907 - 1910 Mary Williams held a Research Fellowship in the University of Wales. This enabled her to undertake a period of study at the National University of Ireland at Dublin which contributed to the success of her research into the origin of the Arthurian Romances. At the same time, she enrolled at the Sorbonne where in 1910 she obtained a doctorate from the University of Paris, D.es l (D.Lit), producing a thesis dealing with the relation of the Welsh story of Peredur to the French and German versions. The work focused on the influence of Welsh literature and tradition on French Arthurian Romances.

In 1921 Williams was appointed to the newly created post of professor of French language and literature in the Department of Modern Languages at University College Swansea, an early example of a woman achieving a professorial title. (An obituary of Williams noted that "it was said to be the first instance of a woman's appointment to an established Chair at a British university"). With Williams at the helm, modern language studies were able to thrive and grow into a separate German department in 1932. Williams continued to occupy the Chair of French until 1948.

In 1948 Williams was appointed professor of French and acting head of department at the University of Durham, a post she held until her retirement in 1952. She subsequently moved to London for a short period, before returning to Aberystwyth. Until 1975 Williams continued her association with University College Swansea as a member of the court of governors. The expanding university named a hall of residence in her honour in 1967. She died on 17 October 1977 in her ninety-fifth year.

Notable achievements Her personal achievements included the award of Officier d’Academie and Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur. The investiture was held at the Hotel Metropole, Swansea in 1934 for promoting French language and literature to the Welsh nation. It was reported that Williams felt these were "not so much as being personal distinctions but rather as France’s tributes to Wales and to the Welsh contribution to our European cultural heritage".

Her enthusiasm for her native country of Wales and its advancement and material prosperity contributed to the high esteem in which she was held by her colleagues and the wider community. Described by those who knew her as a great favourite, Williams "was a notable organiser who in a quiet and business-like way demonstrated sterling qualities and a zest for research".

Between 1961 and 1963, Williams served as the President of the Folklore Society. and place-names in legend and belief.

She also served as: First President of University of London Welsh Society President of the London Society of Old Aberystwythians Vice President of the Swansea Liberal Association President and Founder of the South Wales Branch of the Modern Language Association

Legacy

There is an active Mary Williams Group at Swansea University whose members share good practice, support the university’s equality agenda and act as role models to individuals at the institution. The network hold regular seminars around the theme of gender equality in academia, inviting notable speakers from the UK and beyond. The group also host an annual Mary Williams Award. This is given to an individual associated with Swansea University who has made an outstanding contribution to the culture and community of the institution.