J. Seymour Rees Collection,

A collection of over 200 books and pamphlets from the library of the donor's husband, the late Rev J. Seymour Rees, Seven Sisters, most of these being typescript volumes (NLW MSS 18628-707). The collection consists of some original work by J. Seymour Rees and his father, John Rees, such as poetry, short stories, essays, biographies, and guide books, much of which was submitted for competition at various national and local eisteddfodau, and volumes of collected material on various topics, including essays, articles and other material on such eminent Welshmen as W. Llewelyn Williams, Daniel Silvan Evans, Sir John Morris Jones, and Rev William Edwards, Groeswen, and on Welsh hymnology, and collections of poetry by D. Emrys James ('Dewi Emrys'), I. D. Hooson, R. Williams Parry, and T. J. Thomas ('Sarnicol'), of prose by 'Sarnicol', W. Llewelyn Williams, O. M. Edwards, and W. J. Gruffydd, and of hymns by H. Elvet Lewis ('Elfed'), J. D. Vernon Lewis, J. R. Davies, Pentyrch, and others, and selections of prose and verse compiled for competition at various national eisteddfodau. In addition to the collection of Elfed's Welsh and English hymns, there are twelve volumes containing some of his prose and verse and material on his life and work. There are also indexes to Y Beirniad, Y Geninen, and Y Geiriadur Bywgraphyddol; typescript copies and cuttings, from periodicals and newspapers, of articles and essays by various persons, and by 'Sarnicol' and J. Seymour Rees in particular; typescript transcripts of several printed books, in particular of collections of hymns published in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; and scrapbooks of newspaper cuttings relating to D. Lloyd George, Dylan Thomas, 'Dewi Emrys', W. Llewelyn Williams, Sir John Morris Jones, 'Elfed', Rev John Evans, Brecon, Rev Jubilee Young, and others. The collection also contains letters to J. Seymour Rees and Mrs. Seymour Rees and a small group of other correspondence. The largest donation of printed books received during the current year was that which the Library was invited to select from the very extensive library of Rev J. Seymour Rees (Dept of Printed Books). It numbered several hundreds of volumes primarily of literary, historical, and theological interest, all in very good condition, and many having been bound by Mr. Rees himself. Additional material from the library of the donor's husband, the late Rev J. Seymour Rees, Seven Sisters. It includes typescript collections of 'Cyfansoddiadau sydd yn fy modloni i' and 'A short anthology of the world's greatest Christian prayers' (NLW MS 19384B); three scrapbooks of typescripts and newspaper cuttings (NLW MSS 19385A, 19386B, 19387C); a typescript copy of 'Casgliad o gyfarwyddiadau i wneuthur hen fwydydd nodweddiadol Gymraeg' by Miss Mati Thomas ('Mati'r Ddôl'), Nanternis, New Quay (awarded the prize at the Treorchy National Eisteddfod, 1928) (NLW MS 19383B); Evan Thomas: Galareb S. Griffiths o Horeb (Castellnewydd-Emlyn, 1960), and J. Lloyd Williams: Byd Natur (Caerdydd, 1924) (Dept of Printed Books). A holograph letter of David Jones (1856-1937), Aberdare, afterwards Independent minister at New Quay, co. Cardigan, and at Scranton, Pa., U.S.A. (NLW MS 18866E, No 246C); and a printed postcard to the donor from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, [March 1965], acknowledging a message of sympathy and good wishes (NLW MS 16726A).

John Seymour Rees (1887-1963) was a Congregational minister and author from Carmarthenshire. He studied in Aberystwyth and Cardiff and worked as a minister in Cefncoedycymer, Breconshire, 1915-1922, Treorci, Glamorgan, 1923-1927; and Capel Soar, Seven Sisters, Glamorgan, 1927-1945. He became Secretary of the Cardiff Council of Christians and Jews, 1945-1963. From 1932 onwards he gave numerous radio talks. He competed successfully in local and national eisteddfodau, submitting essays and biographies. He was married and had one son. His private library contained much of the source material for his literary contributions to Welsh periodical literature.

Arranged into the following: manuscripts; a stray deed; letters to the Rev. J. Seymour Rees; letters to the Rev. J. Seymour and Mrs. Rees; miscellaneous correspondence; and printed books.

Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.

Deposited by Mrs J. Seymour Rees, widow of Rev. J. Seymour Rees, between 1963 and 1965.

John Seymour Rees (1887-1963) was a Congregational minister and author from Carmarthenshire. He studied in Aberystwyth and Cardiff and worked as a minister in Cefncoedycymer, Breconshire, 1915-1922, Treorci, Glamorgan, 1923-1927; and Capel Soar, Seven Sisters, Glamorgan, 1927-1945. He became Secretary of the Cardiff Council of Christians and Jews, 1945-1963. From 1932 onwards he gave numerous radio talks. He competed successfully in local and national eisteddfodau, submitting essays and biographies. He was married and had one son. His private library contained much of the source material for his literary contributions to Welsh periodical literature.

Title supplied from contents of fonds. The papers predate the life of J. Seymour Rees.

A hard copy of the catalogue is available at the National Library of Wales. The catalogue can be accessed online.

March 2003

Compiled by Annette Strauch for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: NLW, Schedule of J. Seymour Rees Collection; Dictionary of Welsh Biography down to 1940 (London, 1959).

Usual copyright regulations apply.

Action: All records donated to the NLW have been retained.

The materials were collected or compiled by John Seymour Rees.

Accruals are not expected.

Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales