William Thomas Rowland Powell (8 August 1815 – 13 May 1878)[1] was a Welsh landowner and Conservative politician who served as Member of Parliament for Cardiganshire from 1859 until 1865.
Powell of Nanteos and his first wife, Laura-Edwyna, eldest daughter of James Sacksville Tufton Phelp, of Coston House, Leicestershire.
[5] In May 1865 he was absent from a vote on parliamentary reform when an attempt was made by Edward Baines to introduce a motion to extend the borough franchise.
However, it soon became apparent that he would be challenged by a more radical Liberal candidate and both David Davies, Llandinam and Henry Richard canvassed for support in the constituency.
[7] Powell's retirement marked the end of the long period where the squire of Nanteos sat in the House of Commons.
[8] Unlike his father, Powell did not speak Welsh, and neither did his cousin, William Edward Phelp, who managed the estate at Nanteos.
During the 1868 General Election campaign, Powell supported the Conservative candidate and, while there were no evictions as recorded elsewhere, this caused a further deterioration in the relationship between landowner and tenants.