Newtown-born Robert Owen, who is considered to be one of the most famous Welshmen of all time, is thought of as the 'father' of the Co-operative and Trade Union Movements.

The exhibition celebrating his life has been developed by Siân Williams, Librarian at Swansea University's South Wales Miners' Library.

The Robert Owen: Legacies that last exhibition, which considers the relevance of his ideas and actions to current issues in Welsh society, including co-operation, lifelong learning, social justice, and fair trade, was developed with a grant of £49,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

CyMal, the Welsh Assembly Government’s museums, archives, and libraries division awarded a further grant of £19,888 to develop an accompanying online exhibition at www.robertowen2008.coop.

The exhibition can be seen at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, which is hosting the exhibition daily, from 10am until 5pm, until the end of August.

Siân Williams said: "This year, 2008, marks the 150th anniversary of the death of Robert Owen of Newtown. 200 years ago, Robert Owen was talking about issues such as the environment, fair trade, social justice and working conditions.

"It is remarkable how relevant his ideas and actions are to current issues in Welsh society. He was certainly a man ahead of his time.”

The exhibition, which forms part of the year long activities being planned by, and in conjunction with the Newtown-based Robert Owen Network, was launched in February in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay by Lorraine Barrett, Labour and Co-operative Member for Cardiff South and Penarth.  

It will tour throughout Wales until November 2008.

For further information on where to see the exhibition in Wales, please visit the website, and for further information on the South Wales Miners’ Library at Swansea University visit the Library's website.