David Davies, 1st Baron Davies

Who was David Davies, 1st Baron Davies?

David Davies, 1st Baron Davies, was a politician and public benefactor, the grandson of the industrialist, David Davies "Llandinam".

Davies was born and died at Llandinam, Montgomeryshire. His father, Edward Davies, was Llandinam's only son. His two sisters, Gwendoline and Margaret, became known as patrons of the arts. He was educated at Merchiston Castle School and King's College, Cambridge, graduating in 1903.

Politically and personally, David now followed the lead set by his grandfather. From 1906 to 1929, he was the Liberal Member of Parliament for the Montgomeryshire constituency, and an active supporter of the League of Nations. In 1932 he established the New Commonwealth Society for ‘the promotion of international law and order’, writing several books on the right use of force, notably The Problem of the Twentieth Century, which was translated into German and other languages. His ideas had an impact on the writing of the UN Charter, especially with regards to sanctions and the transition of national armies to an international police.

The barony was created for him in 1932.

He endowed the Chair in International Politics established at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, which also hosts the David Davies Memorial Institute of International Studies.