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D. Ben Rees | |
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Born | David Benjamin Rees August 1, 1937 [1] Llanddewi Brefi, Ceredigion, Wales |
Nationality | Welsh |
Other names | D. Ben Rees |
Education | University of Wales, Aberystwyth (BA) United Theological College, Aberystwyth (BD) |
Occupation(s) | Historian, author, publisher, Presbyterian minister |
Years active | 1962–present |
Known for | Liverpool Welsh community leadership, historical writing on Welsh Nonconformity |
Notable work | The Welsh in Liverpool: A Remarkable History (2021) Chapels in the Valley (1975) |
Spouse | Meinwen Llewellyn |
Children | 2 (Dafydd and Hefin Ednyfed) |
Awards | Paul Harris Fellowship (2003) Liverpool Citizen of Honour (2018) |
David Benjamin Rees (born 1937) is a Welsh historian, author, publisher and minister in the Presbyterian Church of Wales. He has served as a community leader within Liverpool's Welsh population [2] [3] and operates Modern Welsh Publications, a Welsh language publishing house established in 1963.
Rees was born on 1 August 1937 in Llanddewi Brefi, Ceredigion. [1] He attended the local primary school before proceeding to Tregaron Grammar School. [1]
In 1955, he entered the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, where he studied history, Welsh and education. [1] During his time at university, he was involved in student politics and the peace movement, including the local Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament branch. [1]
In 1959, Rees was accepted into the United Theological College, Aberystwyth to pursue theological studies leading to a BD degree. [1]
Rees was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in October 1962. [1] His early ministry was in the South Wales valleys, including Abercynon and Penrhiwceiber. [1] Following the Aberfan disaster of 21 October 1966, [4] he was involved in supporting affected families as a member of the Aberfan Disaster Committee. [1]
In 1968, Rees moved to Liverpool as minister at Bethel Chapel, a Welsh-speaking Presbyterian congregation. [1] [5] He served as chaplain at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital for 18 years. [1] In 1972, he was president of the Merseyside Free Church Council. [1]
Rees officially retired in 2008 but continued part-time ministerial duties until 2021. [1]
In 1963, Rees established Modern Welsh Publications Ltd, initially operating from Abercynon before relocating to Liverpool in 1968. [6] The company publishes works in Welsh and English.
Rees has held lecturing positions with the University of Liverpool Extra Mural Department and the Open University.[ citation needed ] He served as a board member for the Greenwich School of Theology. [7]
Rees completed an MSc thesis on Welsh Nonconformity, published as Chapels in the Valley: A Study in the Sociology of Welsh Nonconformity (1975).[ citation needed ] His MA thesis from the University of Liverpool examined Dr Owen Thomas, a Liverpool Welsh divine.[ citation needed ]
From the 1980s, Rees focused on the history of the Liverpool Welsh community, producing multiple volumes on the subject.[ citation needed ]
Rees has been described as a leader within Liverpool's Welsh community. [8] He established various Welsh cultural organisations in Liverpool, including the Merseyside Chair Eisteddfod and the Council of Welsh Chapels on Merseyside, and founded the local community newspaper Yr Angor/The Anchor, which he edited from 1979. [1]
Rees has been involved in peace movements since his university days, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Fellowship of Reconciliation. [1] He served as chairman of the Fellowship of Reconciliation publications committee for thirty years. [1]
Rees has been a member of Rotary clubs in Liverpool and was made an honorary member of the City of Liverpool Rotary Club in 2021. [1] He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship in 2003. [1]
In 2018, Rees was made a Citizen of Honour for the City of Liverpool, recognising his contribution to the city's Welsh community. [9]
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Rees has authored or edited over 80 books in Welsh and English over six decades.[ citation needed ] Notable works include:
Rees has written extensively on Welsh Nonconformity, the Liverpool Welsh community, and biographies of prominent Welsh political figures including Jim Griffiths and Cledwyn Hughes.[ citation needed ] His theological works include studies of John Calvin and Calvinism.[ citation needed ]
One of his works on the Liverpool Welsh was longlisted for Wales Book of the Year in 2020. [11]
Rees married Meinwen Llewellyn and has two sons, Dafydd and Hefin Ednyfed. [1] His son Hefin co-founded the charity Generating Hope in Action. [12]
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