Goronwy Rees

After gaining an Oxford fellowship at the age of 21, Goronwy Rees (1909-79) went on to write for the "Guardian" and the "Spectator" before becoming Principal of the universiy College of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1953. A Marxist intellectual turned cold warrior, who also claimed that "writing books is the only thing I'm serious about", Rees became a full-time writer in 1957 following his acrimonious resignation from Aberystwyth over revelations about his friendship with Guy Burgess. This study of Goronwy Rees (1909-79) sets his writings in the context of a dramatically eventful life. The author also discusses Rees' complex relationship with Wales and how, although an unwavering advocate of home rule, he was perceived in his native country as being anti-Welsh.