Statue of Sir Hugh Owen, Caernarfon, Wales
Sculptor unknown, made in 1888
Standing figure holding a rolled parchment in left hand. Right leg slightly forward. Left hand holding upright book which is balanced on a pile of four books on small pedestal. Wearing overcoat with shorter coat underneath. Looks like papers in outer top pocket of overcoat
Sir Hugh Owen (1804-1881) was born at Llangeinwen. He went to school in Caernarfon and was briefly apprenticed to a saddler. His father organised the movement of cattle to London and at the age of 21 Hugh Owen became a drover. He subsequently found work in London and in 1836 moved to Somerset House where he had been appointed under the newly established Poor Law Board. He was promoted to Chief Clerk in 1853, remaining in post until his retirement in 1872. He worked to promote secondary and higher education in Wales, was interested in the development of the National Eisteddfod and the Cymmrodrion Society, and his association with the London Welsh Society resulted in the founding of The London Welsh Charitable Aid Society. He was instrumental in founding the University College Aberystwyth in 1872. He was knighted in 1881 shortly before his death.