He might have been happier with a feather duster than on the hunting field but Octavius Morgan had Gwent clocked. Mike Buckingham reports OBJECTIONABLE he may have been, but he was the man who made Newport tick.

Octavius Morgan, fourth child of Sir Charles Morgan was called vain and conceited and that was by those who liked him.

A more trenchant critic described the 19th century master of the Friars, now part of the Royal Gwent Hospital as "A pygmy in stature, of a pale, languid complexion, effeminate and with a squeaky voice who delivered his opinions in an arrogant and overbearing manner."

"You probably won't get an argument about his nature" says Paul Busby, an expert on the Tredegar family.

"But Octavius Morgan was nevertheless one of our most important antiquaries.

"One of the things he was famous for was his hugely important collection of watches and clocks many of which are now in the British Museum.

"The fact that one of the world's major museums gives considerable exhibition space to Octavius speaks volumes about his importance to the cultural life of this city."

Octavius Morgan was born in 1803 at Tredegar House and in 1824 after he had completed his studies at Christ Church, Oxford, returned there to help with the running of the Morgan's ancestral home.

It was noted by many that Morgan took a close interest in the house involving himself in matters normally left to menials.

In 1832 he moved to the Friars decorated in a neo-Tudor style by William Mayo, a local craftsman whom Octavius championed.

"Whatever else he may have been Octavius was definitely not a philistine" Mr Busby continued.

"The other members of the family may have been earthy, hunting, shooting and fishing types but Octavius was just as likely to interest himself in the details of a painting."

One painting in particular seems to have had, quite literally, a striking effect.

Nobody knows who painted the 17th century woman whose full-length portrait now hangs at Tredegar House nor who the haughty chatelaine who is its subject.

Octavius appears to have been transfixed not by her beauty but by the ornate gold watch hanging from her waist.

The story is given credence by Mr David Thompson, keeper of horology at the British Museum.

"Octavius was in Ratisbon when he saw a watch reminding him of the one on the picture of the 17th century lady.

"That was the beginning of his obsession" Mr Thompson said.

"Octavius was insufferable and rather effeminate.

"People used to say if he was found in a lady's room helping her dress in the morning, far from having suspicions, the husband would be told 'Don't worry. It's only Octavius.

"Whether or not he was a homosexual is a matter for discreet speculation but as a collector of watches and clocks and as an historian and archaeologist he was genuinely important."

It is known that Octavius was fascinated by the archaeology of Cardiff castle and may have transferred this interest to Newport where he attempted to establish the existence of a town wall.

Paul Busby remains fascinated by Octavius's interests in watches and clocks but says other aspects of his life should not be overshadowed.

"I have given a talk to the Wales and West Horological Society about his work with clocks and watches in which field he is internationally important.

"My personal favourite is a clock that belonged to him which is a model of a galleon which when wound up moves across the table like a vessel under full sail complete with sailors wielding hammers which strike the quarters and which plays music as it goes along.

"As a grand finale its cannons fire to produce a wonder of noise and smoke.

"Octavius was also a character who in many ways foreshadowed Evan Morgan who was to be the last Lord Tredegar and who, as is well known, was fascinated by birds and would keep a parrot down his trousers.

"Octavius would encourage birds to fly down and peck seeds from his lips.

"When in charge of the household arrangements of Tredegar House he would sometimes do the cooking and even cleaning.

"I think it would be fair to call him fussy, even effeminate.

"But he made a lasting contribution to this city which I often feel is not fully recognised."

In an age when people collected timepieces for their extravagant prettiness Octavius Morgan was prepared to open their backs and get involved with cogs, springs and balances.

At a time when archaeologists were little better than souvenir hunters Octavius's methodical approach formed the modern basis for scientific excavation.

Had such a thing existed he would, perhaps, have made an excellent member of the TimeTeam.