Phillips, D. Rhys (David Rhys), 1862-1952

Person

Phillips, D. Rhys (David Rhys), 1862-1952

David Rhys Phillips, 'Beili Glas' (1862-1952) from the vale of Neath, Glamorgan, became librarian of the Welsh Department of the Swansea Public Library, and was responsible for the Celtic collection. He was one of the founders and the first honorary secretary of the Welsh Bibliographical Society, and honorary secretary and editor of the Celtic Congress. He did freelance work throughout his life, including for the reading and editorial section of the Oxford University Press. He worked to improve the study of librarianship in Wales. He was a successful competitor at the National Eisteddfod in literary competitions, and was an active member of the Gorsedd. His main interest, however, was the history of the vale of Neath; his magnum opus, The history of the vale of Neath, was published in 1925.