Sir James Frederick Rees M.A., M.COMM., LL.D. (1883-1967) 65^th President

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We do not have an obituary of him in the Transactions, but there is a good one online in the Dictionary of Welsh Biography. From that a few brief excerpts: -

Born and initially educated in Pembroke, he entered the University College at Cardiff in 1901, where he graduated with Class 1 in History in 1904, after further graduation from oxford he lectured for a short while in Belfast, Edinburgh and Birmingham.In 1929 he was appointed Principal of the University College at Cardiff, a post he held for 20 yrs. He was vice-chancellor of the University of Wales twice 1935-37 and 1944-46

it was in this time he became a member of the Society

In the same brief biography it notes: -

He was a member of the commission on Reforming the Constitution of Sri Lanka, 1944-45 and after retiring in 1949 he went to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) University in 1953-55 as a visiting Professor in Economics

Which gives some insight into a selection of papers he read to the society

1. 1948 - Vol. LXXIX Journey to Ceylon
2. 1953 - Vol. LXXXII The British Commonwealth its Present Phase
3. 1955 - Vol. LXXXIV Ceylon Revisited

He was Principal of University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire 1929 to 1949. He was additionally Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales from 1935 to 1937 and also from 1944 to 1946.

In the 1945 New Year Honours, Rees was appointed a Knight Bachelor, and thereby granted the title sir, in recognition of his service as Principal of the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, Cardiff and as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales.

There is a portrait of him available on the Art UK website.

Sir Frederick Rees (1883-1967), Principal of Cardiff University by Oswald Hornby Joseph Birley (1880-1952) Sir Cyril Fox 57^th President and other members

J F Rees pictured with with Sir Cyril & Lady Fox and other members Sir Cyril Fox 57^th President and other members

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Before this... Harold Augustus Hyde (1892-1973) M.A. F.L.S. F.M.A. 63^rd President

Next up... Frank Bird M.Sc (?-1968/9) 66^th President

See our Full list of Presidents

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