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Black academic robe worn by the Rev. John Williams (Brynsiencyn) when he was awarded an honary Doctor of Divinity by the University of Wales.

A Calvinistic Methodist minister from Anglesey, the Rev. John Williams became an Army chaplain during the First World War, and played an active role in promoting the formation of the Welsh Army Corps. In 1917, he was given the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) by the University of Wales.

Floor-length academic robe made from black ribbed silk. Tightly gathered pleats at shoulder and upper back are fed into the neck yoke. The robe is of a design called 'London Style' Batchelor Graduation robe which features a button and twisted chord at the opening of each sleeve. The front of the sleeve terminates at the inner elbow but the rear of the sleeve is much longer. Two 4cm wide Petersham ribbons extend down from each inner shoulder for fastening the robe. The centre front opening of the robe has a wide turn back; this folded fabric broadens to a width of 17cm at the hem. The robe has a centre back seam and two side seams. It has a woven manufacturer's label at inner neck with yellow lettering on black ground. Above, there is a parchment (?) label with an inscription of the wearer's name written in black ink.