William George

William George was born on 23 February 1865 in Highgate, Llanystumdwy, Gwynedd, Wales. The house where he was born is now part of the Lloyd George Museum. His father, William George, was a school teacher who died of pneumonia in June 1864, prior to William's birth. William was raised by his mother, Elisabeth (née Lloyd), who lived from 1828 to 1896, and his uncle Richard Lloyd, a shoemaker, Baptist minister, and Liberal supporter. He had one older brother, David Lloyd George, who later became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and a sister named Mary Elin.

William George received education at the Anglican national school in Llanystumdwy. In 1882, he became an articled clerk and subsequently joined his brother David in the law partnership of Lloyd George & George in Criccieth. This partnership was established after David Lloyd George adopted their uncle Richard Lloyd's surname. When David entered parliament in an unpaid capacity, William supported him financially through the partnership. After David Lloyd George was appointed President of the Board of Trade in 1905, he began drawing a salary, and William was no longer a financial supporter of his brother.

William George's career was primarily in public service. He served on Caernarfonshire County Council from 1907 until 1967, a tenure spanning 60 years, making him the longest-serving councillor in British history. He served as chair of the council in 1911 and was actively involved in areas such as education, serving as chair of the Education Committee from 1916 to 1948. He also promoted the use of the Welsh language, translating the National Insurance Act 1911 into Welsh and including a glossary of legal terms. Additionally, he engaged in efforts to foster cooperation between county councils.

From 1937 to 1956, William George held the position of honorary solicitor to the National Eisteddfod of Wales and was elected a fellow of the Eisteddfod in 1956. In 1947, he received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree (D.Litt.) from the University of Wales. As of 1965, at age 99, he remained an active elected member of Caernarfonshire County Council and was interviewed by The Guardian. During the interview, he expressed that he had never felt inclined to participate in national politics, stating, "He never felt the pull of national politics. One member of the family was quite enough; there are other ways of public service."

William George's personal papers were acquired by the National Library of Wales in 1989. He married his cousin, Anita Williams, in 1910 in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. Anita Williams, who died in 1943, was a trained nurse who traveled extensively, including to Egypt. She was active in chapel activities, playing the organ and teaching in Sunday School. The couple had twin sons; one died at birth, and the other, W. R. P. George (1912−2006), was a solicitor, writer, and served as Archdruid.

William George celebrated his 100th birthday in 1965 and died on 25 January 1967 in Criccieth, shortly before reaching his 102nd birthday.

Selected Publications:

- Richard Lloyd, Cricieth (1934)

- Atgof a Myfyr [Remembrance and Reflection] (1948)

- My Brother and I (1958)