D. Ben Rees
David Benjamin Rees 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 and operates Modern Welsh Publications, a Welsh language publishing house established in 1963.
Early life and education
Rees was born on 1 August 1937 in Llanddewi Brefi, Ceredigion. He attended the local primary school before proceeding to Tregaron Grammar School.In 1955, he entered the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, where he studied history, Welsh and education. During his time at university, he was involved in student politics and the peace movement, including the local Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament branch.
In 1959, Rees was accepted into the United [Theological College, Aberystwyth] to pursue theological studies leading to a BD degree.
Ministry
Rees was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in October 1962. His early ministry was in the South Wales valleys, including Abercynon and Penrhiwceiber. Following the Aberfan disaster of 21 October 1966, he was involved in supporting affected families as a member of the Aberfan Disaster Committee.In 1968, Rees moved to Liverpool as minister at Bethel Chapel, a Welsh-speaking Presbyterian congregation. He served as chaplain at the Royal [Liverpool University Hospital] for 18 years. In 1972, he was president of the Merseyside Free Church Council.
Rees officially retired in 2008 but continued part-time ministerial duties until 2021.
Publishing and academic work
Modern Welsh Publications
In 1963, Rees established Modern Welsh Publications Ltd, initially operating from Abercynon before relocating to Liverpool in 1968. The company publishes works in Welsh and English.Academic positions
Rees has held lecturing positions with the University of Liverpool Extra Mural Department and the Open University. He served as a board member for the Greenwich School of Theology.Historical research
Rees completed an MSc thesis on Welsh Nonconformity, published as Chapels in the Valley: A Study in the Sociology of Welsh Nonconformity. His MA thesis from the University of Liverpool examined Dr Owen Thomas, a Liverpool Welsh divine.From the 1980s, Rees focused on the history of the Liverpool Welsh community, producing multiple volumes on the subject.
Community involvement
Welsh community leadership
Rees has been described as a leader within Liverpool's Welsh community. 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.Peace activism
Rees has been involved in peace movements since his university days, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Fellowship of Reconciliation. He served as chairman of the Fellowship of Reconciliation publications committee for thirty years.Rotary International
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. He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship in 2003.Honours and recognition
In 2018, Rees was made a Citizen of Honour for the City of Liverpool, recognising his contribution to the city's Welsh community.Selected publications
Rees has authored or edited over 80 books in Welsh and English over six decades. Notable works include:- Mahatma Gandhi: Pensaer yr India
- Chapels in the Valley: A Study in the Sociology of Welsh Nonconformity
- Pregethwr y Bobl: Bywyd a Gwaith Dr Owen Thomas
- The Liverpool Welsh and their Religion
- The Welsh of Merseyside series
- A Life Unlimited: An Autobiography
- The Welsh in Liverpool: A Remarkable History
- ''Hanes Tregaron a'r Cyffiniau''
Themes and subjects
One of his works on the Liverpool Welsh was longlisted for Wales Book of the Year in 2020.