Jonathan Rees

• Name — Jonathan Rees • Born — 21 August 1841 • Birthplace — Puncheston, Pembrokeshire, Wales • Died — 13 June 1905 • Place of death — Ystrad, Rhondda, Wales • Occupation — Colliery official, educationalist

Rees was born on 21 August 1841 in Puncheston, Pembrokeshire, the son of James and Eunice Rees. He was the brother of Evan Rees (Dyfed). When he was nine years old, his family moved to Aberdare, and later relocated to Ystrad in 1877. Rees worked as a colliery official at Bodringallt for the remainder of his working life. He was also active in education, serving on the Rhondda School Board for many years.

Rees achieved recognition as a poet from a young age and became a highly successful competitor at the National Eisteddfod, winning prizes across various poetic metres during the final thirty years of his life. His most notable achievement came at the Liverpool National Eisteddfod in 1900, where he was awarded six prizes in different competitions. Rees published two collections of poetry Caniadau Nathan Wyn and Munudau Hamddenol. Many of his poems and essays were published in Welsh periodicals including Y Gwladgarwr, Y Geninen, and Cymru (O.M.E.).

Jonathan Rees died on 13 June 1905. His death was noted in the Welsh press, with Tarian Y Gweithiwr publishing an obituary tribute on 29 June 1905 that praised his poetic work and character. The tribute, written under the pen name "Y Dr YW" from Tylorstown, commemorated him as a "dedicated poet whose bardic work would be long remembered."