REES, REES ARTHUR (Rhys Dyfed; 1837 - 1866), poet

Born 1837 at Melin Brithdir, Penbryn, Cardiganshire, son of Rhys Rees. He did well at school, especially in mathematics. He became apprenticed to J. M. Jones, a dealer at Rhydlewis, and after some years moved to Liverpool and then to London. He took advantage of every opportunity to educate himself, and became so well versed in English that he wrote poetry and prose in that language. In 1860 his health deteriorated and he was then compelled to remain at home. He won many prizes at various eisteddfodau. He took first prize at the Llandudno eisteddfod (1864) for his elegy on Carn Ingli, and was placed second to Glan Cunllo at Whitland eisteddfod (1865) for a poem on 'Llywelyn ein Llyw Olaf.' He intended publishing a volume of his compositions, but this he did not accomplish. He died 8 July 1866 and was buried at Llangunllo.

Author

• Dr Moelwyn Idwal Williams

Sources

• H. Blackwell, NLW MSS 9271A: A Dictionary of Welsh Biography
• Enwogion Ceredigion (1869), 201
• Notable Welshmen (1700–1900) (1908), 293
• Yr Haul, 1866, 256

Images

• NLW: Rhys Arthur Rhys

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20569280

Published date: 1959

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