[2] It is home to a large collection of printed items and archives that reflects Gladstone's main interests in history, literature, theology, and politics.

With the help of his daughter and his valet, he wheeled a selection of his books three quarters of a mile (1.2km) between his home at Hawarden Castle and the library.

In a diary entry dated 23 December 1895, he described the library's founding: "I have this day constituted my trust at St Deiniol's.

"[6] Following his death in 1898, a public appeal was launched for funds to provide a permanent building to house the collection and replace the temporary structure.

The £9,000 raised provided an imposing building, designed by John Douglas, which was officially opened by Earl Spencer on 14 October 1902 as the National Memorial to W.E.