Charles Ashton (c. 1848 – 13 October 1899) was a Welsh literary historian and bibliophile, born in Llawr-y-glyn, Montgomeryshire (Powys).
He was a professional police officer, but he is primarily remembered for a thorough survey of 17th to 19th century Welsh literature which he published in 1893. In 1899, he attacked his own wife with a razor and then killed himself in an apparent attempt at murder-suicide.
Contents
Historical work
A police officer by profession, Ashton is chiefly remembered for his pioneering and thorough survey of 17th to 19th century Welsh literature, Hanes Llenyddiaeth Gymreig o 1651 hyd 1850, published in 1893. He also published a history of Dinas Mawddwy in 1892.
Attack on his wife and suicide
Ashton committed suicide after attacking his wife with a razor in 1899.
Works
Bywyd ac Amserau yr Esgob Morgan (1891)
Gweithiau Iolo Goch (1896)
Hanes Llenyddiaeth Gymreig 1650-1850 (1893)
Llyfryddiaeth y 19eg Ganrif (1908)