Margaret Lloyd George

Dame Margaret Lloyd George (née Owen) was born on 4 November 1864 in Criccieth, Caernarfonshire, Wales. Her father was Richard Owen, an elder of Capel Mawr of Criccieth, described as a well-to-do Methodist farmer and valuer. She received her education at Dr Williams' School for Girls in Dolgellau.

On 1 January 1888, she married David Lloyd George, who later served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Her father initially disapproved of Lloyd George's marriage. Together, they had five children: Richard Lloyd George (later 2nd Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, 1889–1968), author of "The Life Story of His Mother"; Mair Eluned (1890–1907); Lady Olwen Elizabeth Carey Evans (1892–1990), who married Major Thomas John Carey Evans in 1917; Gwilym Lloyd George (later 1st Viscount Tenby, 1894–1967); and Lady Megan Lloyd George (1902–1966), recognized as the first female Member of Parliament for a Welsh constituency.

During her husband's tenure as Prime Minister in 1918, Margaret Lloyd George was appointed Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) for raising over £200,000 for war charities. Following the passage of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919, on 24 December 1919, she became one of the first seven women appointed as a magistrate in Britain, alongside other notable women such as Lady Crewe and Beatrice Webb. This appointment marked her as the first Welsh woman to serve in this capacity.

In December 1920, she visited Leeds and was hosted by Lady Airedale, participating in social receptions that involved prominent members of the community. Earlier that year, on 21 October 1920, Margaret Lloyd George presided over a founding meeting of the Young Wales Association at the Portman Rooms on Baker Street, attended by over 400 members of the London Welsh community. She later served as its President from 1921 to 1922. The association, which became the London Welsh Trust, is responsible for the London Welsh Centre on Gray's Inn Road, which she officially opened on 29 November 1930.

Her public service extended to local government; she served on Criccieth Urban District Council from 1919 until her death, including three years as council chairman. She was the first female Justice of the Peace in Caernarfonshire. Additionally, she served as president of the Women's Liberal Federation of North and South Wales.

Margaret Lloyd George died at her residence in Criccieth, Wales, on 20 January 1941 after a period of illness resulting from a fall that injured her hip.