REES, THOMAS JAMES (1875 - 1957), director of education

Born 19 March 1875, son of James and Mary Rees, Waun-wen, Swansea, Glamorganshire. He was a graduate (B.A.) of the University of London (1898) and, despite his lack of experience as a headmaster, was appointed from among 112 applicants director of education in Swansea in 1908, a post which he filled with distinction until he retired in 1943. In national education he became well known as a member of the advisory and consultative committees of the Board of Education. With his wide knowledge, he became a popular and eloquent speaker on educational problems, and was one of the best known figures in Welsh education as honorary secretary of the Federation of Education Committees in Wales and Monmouthshire. He was connected with numerous organisations, being a member of the Central Council for School Broadcasting, the council of the University of Wales, the Welsh National Council of Music, and the Welsh National School of Medicine. He was a J.P. and served as treasurer of the University College at Swansea. He was one of the founder members of Swansea Rotary Club, having been president of Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland, 1942-44. In 1943 he was appointed C.B.E. Among his published work is an address on The appointment of head teachers (1911) and reports on The teaching of Welsh in elementary schools (1914) and The education problem in Swansea (1918).

He married, 1902, Katie Davies, Gowerton, and they had two daughters. He died, 24 December 1957, at his daughter's home, Brynfield, Reynoldston.

Author

• Dr Mary Auronwy James

Sources

• Who was who?
• The Cambrian, 18 September 1908
• Yr Herald Cymraeg a'r Genedl, 9 January 1943 and 4 January 1958

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20804792

Published date: 2001

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