Richard Burton Archives: The New Home of Swansea University’s Archives

A £1.2 million refurbishment project at Swansea University to create the Richard Burton Archives was celebrated on 30 April.

The new state-of-the art archive facility – named The Richard Burton Archives, in honour of the Richard Burton Collection generously donated by Sally Burton in 2005 – is due to be completed by the end of the summer.

The Archives, located within Swansea University’s Library, has over 2 kilometres of shelving available to store the University’s archive collections under strict environmental conditions; ensuring their long-term preservation. A new reading room will also be available for researchers to consult the collections.

Speaking from Perth in Western Australia, the actor’s widow, Sally Burton, said: “I am thrilled that the donation of Richard’s archive to Swansea University has resulted in the creation of this magnificent world class facility for researchers and the local community.

Chris West, Swansea University’s Director of Library and Information Services explained: “The donation of the Richard Burton Collection by Sally Burton has acted as a catalyst for a number of vital developments. These include the major refurbishment of the Library, to create the Richard Burton Archives, and the establishment of the Richard Burton Centre for the Study of Wales at the University, to act as a focus for world-class research on Wales.

“Richard Burton loved books and scholarship. I’m sure he would have been delighted with what we’ve achieved.”

In addition to the Richard Burton Collection, the Richard Burton Archives will house the South Wales Coalfield Collection; the Raymond Williams Papers; and other major collections on the local area and the University.