11 Facts About Roderic Bowen

Evan Roderic Bowen QC was a Welsh lawyer and Liberal Party politician.

Roderic Bowen was called to the bar at the Middle Temple in 1937, and became a Queen's Counsel in 1952.

Roderic Bowen served in the Army for five years during World War II, reaching the rank of captain.

At the 1945 general election, Roderic Bowen was elected at the first attempt as Member of Parliament for Cardiganshire, succeeding Owen Evans.

Roderic Bowen was re-elected in the 1950 general election with the largest Liberal majority at that election, despite facing both Conservative and Labour opposition.

Roderic Bowen failed to succeed Clement Davies as leader of the Liberal Party in 1956 when Jo Grimond was chosen.

Safely returned at the 1959 general election, Roderic Bowen's seat was regarded as "the most secure Liberal seat in the whole of the United Kingdom".

Roderic Bowen's political career came second to his judicial career although he was a President of the Welsh Liberal Federation and member of its council.

Roderic Bowen was Recorder of Merthyr Tydfil and of Carmarthen.

Roderic Bowen's seat remained safe until the 1964 election when a Conservative candidate intervened and Labour cut his majority to around 2,000.

One of the libraries and a research centre at Lampeter carry his name and Roderic Bowen is the name of one of the student halls of residence.