REES, ROBERT OLIVER (1819-1881), apothecary, publisher, and author;
b. at Dolgelley — his mother (Catherine Rees) was a descendant of the family of Owen of Pantphylip, Llangelynnin, Merioneth. He knew Evan Jones (Ieuan Gwynedd) (q.v.) and published a biography of that writer, 1876. He arranged for the publication of Cysondeb y Pedair Efengyl (E. Robinson), 1855, the works of David Richards (Dafydd Ionawr) and poems by Sarah Jane Rees (Cranogwen) (qq.v.). A small book which he wrote on Mary Jones, the young Merioneth Welshwoman whose long walk to Bala in order to procure from Thomas Charles (q.v.) a copy of the Welsh Bible led, indirectly, to the foundation of the British and Foreign Bible Society, proved exceedingly popular; it was translated into the language of the Khassis, Assam. R. O. Rees was also largely instrumental in arranging for the erecting of the statue of Thomas Charles at Bala. He d. 12 Feb. 1881.
Bibliography:
- R. Prys Morris, Cantref Meirionydd, 227-8;
- D. E. Jenkins, Life of Thomas Charles, ii, 518, iii, 598;
- C. Tawelfryn Thomas, Ieuan Gwynedd;
- Robert James (Trebor), Dolgellau 1907
Author:
Rev. Daniel Williams, (1878-1968), Llangollen
