The collector: Peter Crossley-Holland

Peter-Crossley Holland (1916-2001) was Professor of Ethnomusicology at the University of California, Los Angeles, between 1969 and 1983. He was also a prolific composer. His myriad interests included Celtic music and culture, mythology and spirituality around the world, musical instrument research, and of course the musical archaeological artefacts of West Mexico. He acquired these Mexican cultural objects while he was living in California between 1970 and the mid-1980s, mainly from art dealers.

Crossley-Holland was born in the UK and returned upon his retirement, to settle in Carmarthenshire. His association with Bangor included important contributions to the University's Centre for Advanced Welsh Music Studies. In 1992, he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Bangor University in recognition of his services to Welsh music. Bangor University now holds his collection of archaeological musical artefact from Mexico, his library of books about Celtic cultures, and his instruments and extensive research on music from around the world.