# Howell Jones Williams

Sir Howell Jones Williams DL JP (died 13 August 1939), was a Welsh Progressive politician and a prominent London builder. He represented Islington South on the London County Council from 1898 to 1925.

## Background

Williams was born in Merioneth, Wales, but spent his adult life in London. He was a prominent builder and city council member. Williams success in London did not remove him from his Welsh roots. He was an active member of the London Welsh community; this is highlighted by his 1923-1924 presidency of the London Welsh Trust. Additionally, he acted as the Sheriff of Merionethshire in 1917.
Williams was married and had three sons.
His sons were Howell Williams (circa 1895), Captain Arthur Ifor Meakin Williams (1895 - 9 October 1918), Meyrick Richard M Williams (1900 - 1967)

## Building

Some of the more noteworthy buildings constructed by Williams are the Daily Mail and Evening News Offices on the Thames Embankment, Rotherhithe Town Hall, and a substantial number of buildings along Gray's Inn Road. Of particular note are buildings for the Benchers of Gray's Inn and the London Welsh Centre.
The London Welsh Centre was built on a 15,000 square foot lot that Williams purchased for this purpose. Upon completion of the building, he gifted it to the Young Wales Association for their use.
While not constructed directly by Williams, the David's Wing of the Royal Northern Hospital was built with donations from Williams. With donations of £158,000, Williams was the hospitals largest benefactor. The building has since been demolished but a memorial wall of plaques remains; one of these plaques recognizes Williams' contribution to the building.

## Political career

Williams was Progressive candidate for the Rotherhithe division of Southwark, at a by-election on 31 March 1894. He was elected to the London County Council (LCC), holding the seat for the party. He served until the full elections in 1895. He was Progressive candidate for the Islington South division at the 1898 LCC elections. He was elected, holding the seat for the party. He was re-elected for Islington South at the next seven elections. He was a Justice of the Peace in the County of London. He was a Deputy Lieutenant and served as High Sheriff of Merionethshire from 1917–18. He was knighted in 1921. He was Deputy Chairman of the London County Council in 1921.

### Electoral record

1901 London County Council election: Islington South :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Progressive | Howell Jones Williams | unopposed | n/a | n/a |
| Independent | George Samuel Elliott | unopposed | n/a | n/a |
| Progressive hold | Progressive hold | Swing | n/a | |
| Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | n/a | |
1910 London County Council election: Islington South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Progressive | Howell Jones Williams | 2,855 | 26.7 |
| | Progressive | George Dew | 2,841 | 26.6 |
| | Municipal Reform | S Lambert | 2,515 | 23.5 |
| | Municipal Reform | Violet Douglas-Pennant | 2,475 | 23.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | |
| | Progressive hold | Progressive hold | Swing | |
1913 London County Council election: Islington South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive | George Dew | 3,197 | 26.6 | +0.0 |
| | Progressive | Howell Jones Williams | 3,195 | 26.6 | −0.1 |
| | Municipal Reform | A Dingli | 2,829 | 23.5 | +0.0 |
| | Municipal Reform | William Hunt | 2,807 | 23.3 | +0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 366 | 3.0 | |
| | Progressive hold | Progressive hold | Swing | -0.0 | |
1919 London County Council election: Islington South :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Progressive | Howell Jones Williams | Unopposed | n/a | n/a |
| Progressive | George Dew | Unopposed | n/a | n/a |
| Progressive hold | Progressive hold | Swing | n/a | |
| Progressive hold | Progressive hold | Swing | n/a | |
1922 London County Council election: Islington South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Progressive | Sir Howell Jones Williams | 4,916 | 25.6 | n/a |
| | Progressive | George Dew | 4,882 | 25.4 | n/a |
| | Municipal Reform | A Hudson | 4,735 | 24.7 | n/a |
| | Municipal Reform | G Hampton Lewis | 4,665 | 24.3 | n/a |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 147 | 0.7 | n/a |
| | Progressive hold | Progressive hold | Swing | n/a | |
| | Progressive hold | Progressive hold | Swing | n/a | |