Author: Ivor Thomas
Publisher: Golden Grove
Price: S/H Approx £15 to £55 depending on condition
Publication: 1938 (reprinted 1988)
Number of pages: 355
Format: Softcover
How Obtained: Purchased
Despite Wales being at the centre of the industrial revolution, few indigenous Welsh industrialists are remembered today. Though the class was dominated by English immigrants they by no means held a monopoly.
One of the most prominent native industrialists is the subject of this book by Ivor Thomas. Top Sawyer: A Biography of David Davies of Llandinam was first published by Golden Grove back in 1938 thus making it one of the oldest books reviewed on this blog. Subsequently republished over fifty years later in 1988, the author had by this time lengthened his name to Ivor Bulmer-Thomas. It is this later reprint which is the edition under review.
David Davies: from humble beginnings to a major industrial figure
The Top Sawyer of the title refers to one of Davies’ earliest employments as a freelance sawyer working in the wood pits of central Wales. Thus, Davies came from a humble background and his stellar career was largely due to a prodigious work rate, an ability to rapidly assess the cost of a contract and not a little luck.
At a relatively young age he rose to become one of the pre-eminent railway contractors in mid-Wales. Thereafter Davies turned his attention to coal mining, helping to found the Ocean Coal Company in the Rhondda and building Barry Docks and Railway.
Considering the influence Davies had on Welsh industrial and social life it is extraordinary that so little has been written about him. That this is a very readable account of his life is all to the good. The broad arc of the book is chronological while still allowing for distinct episodes in his work, such as the construction of a railway, to be considered as a whole, so as not to interrupt the flow. Thomas is a good storyteller with the narrative being clearly written in a straightforward style in an engaging manner.
A generous biography of a larger than life character
While the first part of the book deals with the development of railways in central Wales the second part is rooted firmly in the South. From Thomas’s description it becomes clear that in many ways the Barry Docks and Railway Company was a manifestation of Davies’s character being energetic, assertive and competitive in nature.
A real issue I had with the book is that the character of Davies is drawn in such glowing terms compared with the other people in the story that they pale by comparison. This gives a slightly unbalanced feel to the book even allowing for the fact that Davies must have indeed been a larger than life character judging by his achievements alone. Likewise there is little analysis of Davies and the impact of his work and hints of vanity and egotism are barely explored save for mention of some business errors.
In Summary
A very readable account of the life of a great Welsh industrialist and Liberal politician. While the book takes a generally uncritical view of his influence and lacks real analysis it nevertheless provides insight into one of the important figures of Welsh economic and political history.
The Good
- An engaging account of the life of one of Wales’ most prominent industrialists
- Well written in a straightforward style
- Fascinating insight into the non-railway aspects of Davies’ life such as politics and philanthropic activity
The Not So Good
- The biographer tends to shy away from being critical of his subject, which makes the treatment feel unbalanced.
- Little mention of other books and resources for further study
Outline Contents
- Early Days
- Farm and saw-pit
- Pastures New
- Mid-Wales asks for Railways
- A Line Without Head and Tail
- Vale of Clwyd Railway
- Oswestry and Newtown Railway
- Breach with Savin
- Pembroke and Tenby Railway
- Manchester and Milford Railway
- The Cambrian – Fusion and Confusion
- Master and Man
- A Democratic Pioneer
- A Cause Celebre
- In Search of Coal
- New Pits
- “Davies the Coal”
- At Home and Abroad
- Edward Davies Comes of Age
- Parliament 1874-80
- Parliament 1880-85
- Liberal Unionist
- Vision of Barry Docks
- The Fight for Barry
- Making the Dock
- “O Rare David Davies”
About the Author: Ivor Thomas
Ivor Bulmer-Thomas CBE FSA (30 November 1905 – 7 October 1993), born Ivor Thomas, was a British journalist and scientific author who served eight years as a Member of Parliament (MP). His career was much influenced by his conversion to the Church of England in his youth.
A brilliant scholar and champion athlete while at university, Bulmer-Thomas wrote biographies and worked as a sub-editor on The Times during his early life. His experience in wartime Italian propaganda led him to doubt its value. Serving in the Attlee Labour Party government in junior roles made him resent the influence of the Labour left; he fell out with party policy on nationalisation and moved to the Conservative Party. He was a workaholic and after leaving politics he became a leading layman in the Church of England. An interest in historic buildings led him to set up the Friends of Friendless Churches group. This campaigns to prevent churches falling into disuse, and played a key role in founding the charity known today as The Churches Conservation Trust.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Related reviews
A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain: Vol.12, South Wales by D.S.M. Barrie
The Barry Railway by D.S.M. Barrie
The Ocean Coal Company and ‘The Barry’ by Leslie M. Shore