Reardon, Ray (b. l934): snooker player from South Wales, an ex coal miner who won six World Championships l970-78.

Recorde, Robert (1510-l558): to the chagrin of schoolboys and girls ever since, mathematician and doctor of medicine Robert Recorde, of Tenby, wrote books on arithmetic and geometry (as well as medicine), including The Whitstone of Witte (l558) but also invented the "equals" sign. His proposal was to use "a paire of parelleles, or {twin} lines of one length because no two lines can be more equal."

Red Bandits of Mawddwy: a 16th Century band of robbers in Merionethshire of whom Thomas Pennant reported that eighty were hanged for their misdeeds, which included the murder of a Sheriff of the county. There are many popular traditions of these red-haired outlaws whose descendants are said to still live in the area.

Rees, Alwyn D. (1911-74): editor of the magazines Barn (Opinion) for eight years and Yr Einion (the Anvil) for nine years; a strong champion of the fight to save the Welsh language and culture.

Rees, Angharad (b.1949): actress raised in Cardiff, trained as a teacher, famous for her role as Demelza in television's Poldark. After a break from acting for ten years to raise her family, she returned to television in the l990's.

Rees ap Meredith (l5th century): soldier who struck the final blow to Richard lll at the Battle of Bosworth.

Rees, Chris l93l-200l): b. Swansea to an English-speaking family; he set up the first Cwrs Wlpan (intensive Welsh learning course) at the University of Wales and received a prestigious award at the National Eisteddfod at Llanelli in l999 for his work on behalf of Welsh learners. As Welsh patriot, he had served time in Swansea Gaol as a conscientious objector to the military draft during the l950’s.

Rees, Dai (l9l3-l983): b. Pontygary; great golfer who won four British PGA titles and was runner up in three British Opens. In l957, he captained the Ryder Cup team that defeated the USA for the first time in 22 years. Awarded a CBA and Sportsman of the Year Awards, he died following a car crash.

Rees, Daniel (l855-l93l): from Pembrokeshire, Liberal journalist and translator who edited Yr Herald Cymraeg and the Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald, supported Lloyd George, and founded the weekly Papur Pawb in l893.

Rees, Evan (Dyfed, l850-l923): f. Pembrokeshire four-time Chair winner and the Chair at the World Fair Eisteddfod at Chicago in l893; archdruid l905-l923.

Rees, Goronwy (l909-79): important in journalism and academia, for a short period Principal of University College of Wales, Aberystwyth; author of many works of literature including biographical sketches, essays, and three novels.

Rees, Gwendoline (l906-l994): b. Aberdare, Professor Rees was the first Welsh woman Fellow of the Royal Society. An expert in parasitology, the study of the life cycle of certain organisms, her good looks often got her picture into Vogue Magazine.

Rees, Hopkin (l9th century): from Cwmafan, began a missionary school in 1898 in China that developed into the University of Beijing.

Rees, Ioan Bowen (b. l929): b. Dolgellau, Mer; became Chief executive of the Gwynedd Conty Council in l980; has written a number of legal studies of Welsh and essays on politics, mountain climbing.

Rees, Sir John Frederick (l883-l967): from Milford Haven: author, university lecturer, and Principal at Bangor University with many studies in Welsh history.

Rees, Leighton: contemporary Welsh darts player who won the first ever World Championship in l978 by defeating John Rowe of England. Another Welshman, Richie Burnett, won the title in 1995.

Rees, Richard (Dic, b. l929): b. Ystradgynlais. Dic came to work for the DuPont Co. in Wilmington, Delaware; honored by the American Chemical Society as a Hero of Chemistry for his discovery of Surlyn iononer resins, a versatile family of plastic used in high strength food packaging and in laminated safety glass in buildings and automobiles.

Rees, Sarah Janes (Cranogwen, l839-l9l6): from Llangrannog, Card; schoolteacher, editor of the women’s magazine Y Frythones (l879-9l) and founder of the Temperance Union of South Wales Women.

Rees, Thomas (Twm Carnabwth, l806-76): one of the attackers of the tollgates at Efailwen in l839 in the Rebecca Riots.

Rees, Thomas Ifor (l890-l977): from Bow Street, Cards; Civil Servant who retired as British Ambassador to Bolivia in l949 but who wrote of his work and translated novels and poetry into Welsh

Rees, William (Gwilym Hiraethog, l802-83): the first to receive the Medal of the Honorable Society of the Cymmodorion for writings, lots of which appeared in Yr Amserau (The Times l843-59). He also adapted Uncle Tom's Cabin into a Welsh tale about slavery.

Rees, William (l808-73): from Llandovery, Carns; his press was one of the most celebrated in Wales printing much of The Mabinogion and the publications of the Welsh Manuscripts Societry.

Rees, William (l887-l978): b. Abersycir, Brecon: distinguished historian and college professor. His writings include South Wales and the Border in the Fourteenth Century (l933), and An Historical Atlas of Wales (l95l).

Reese, Alfred J. Jr. (b. 1924): a Director of the St. David’s Society of Schuylkill and Carbon Counties in Pa; the National Welsh American Foundation; and the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association. He helped form the Pennsylvania Welsh Federation and led the effort to restore the Welsh Church at Lansford, Pa. He has served on the Board of Cymru A’r Byd (Wales International) and earned many honors for his work on behalf of Welsh Americans.

Rendel, Stuart (l834-l9l3): Liberal M.P. for Montgomeryshire, "the Member for Wales." He helped pass the Intermediate Education Act of l889, which ironically did much to hasten the decline of the Welsh language by its setting up of the Central Welsh Board to organize secondary education in the English language.

Richard, Edward (l7l4-l777): from Ystrad Meurig, Cardiganshire, he founded St. John’s College, a pioneering school to prepare Welsh students for Oxford and Cambridge.

Richard, Henry (l8l2-l888): from Tregaron, Liberal M.P. for Merthyr in l868; religious and political leader. A keen supporter of the League of Nations, he was called “the Apostle of Peace.”

Richards, Alun (l929-2004): Pontypridd-born former sailor and probation officer, novelist and critical dramatist of contemporary Wales, author of six novels and a collection of short stories, memoirs and plays, including the TV series “The Onedin Line.”

Richards, Brinley (l904-8l): poet from Llynfi Valley, Glam: a solicitor, Eisteddfod Chair winner and Archdruid from l972-74.

Richards, Ceri (l903-7l): a Surrealist; one of the most important British painters of the century, his work includes paintings based on the poetry of fellow-Welshmen Vernon Watkins and Dylan Thomas.

Richard, David (Dafydd Ionawr, l75l-l827): from Tywyn, Mer; his inclusion here is that he wrote one of the longest poems in the Welsh language Cywydd y Drindod (Verse of the Trinity: l3.000 lines). It is hardly ever read.

Richards, Melville (l9l0-73): Scholar and college Professor who wrote of medieval Welsh society and the Laws of Hywel Dda.

Richards, Nansi (Telynores Maldwyn, 1888-1979): harpist influenced by the Welsh Romany Band, “The Original Cambrian Minstrels,” formed by renowned harpist John Roberts. She passed on the knowledge of gypsy harping and their tunes to Llio Rhydderch and other prominent harpists. Nansi’s playing can be heard in the movie The Last Days of Dolwyn. Many credit her with suggesting the logo of a rooster to Dr. Kellogg for his corn flakes, telling him that his name was similar to the Welsh ceiliog.

Richards, Thomas (l878-l962): b. Talybont, Cards; teacher, historian, author, and Librarian at Bangor, where he helped make the college an important center of Welsh studies. His autobiographies translate as Memories of a Cardi (Native of Cardiganshire).

Richards, Thomas (b. l909): from Tywyn, Mer; journalist with Cambrian News and the Western Mail then the BBC at Swansea; wrote humorous dramas.

Robert ap Huw (l580-l665): musician linked with the Tudor family of Penmynydd; haropist to king James lst, he wrote the ony guide to Welsh harp music in medieval times, the Penllyn Manuscript.

Robert, Gryffydd (l532-98): master of language and grammar, moved to Italy in l559 to write in Welsh to show its acceptability for literary works.

Roberts, Alwyn (b.1933): b. Penygroes, Gwynedd: vice-chancellor, University of Wales, Bangor 1990-97; lectured at Cambridge; also at Assam, India; and Univ. College, Swansea (vice-principal 1985-94): BBC National Governor for Wales; Chairman Broadcasting Council for Wales, President of the National Eisteddfod (1994-6).

Roberts, Arturo (b. l928): b. Patagonia; moved to the U.S. in l956 where he is devoted to the dissemination of Welsh culture in North America. Founder, owner and editor of Ninnau; past president of Argentina Medical Society; president of Andes Associates; founder of the Welsh North American Chamber of Commerce; founder and president of the Welsh-American Genealogical Society, Chairman of Cyfellion Bodiwan, dedicated to preserving the Bala home of Michael Jones, the founder of Wladfa (Patagonia). Arturo was inducted into the Gorsedd for his service to Wales and the overseas Welsh.

Roberts, Bartholemew (Black Bart, l682-l722): notorious pirate from Pembrokeshire, killed by the Royal Navy, but not before he had been the first to fly the Skull and Crossbones flag.

Roberts, Brynley Francis (b. 193l): b. Aberdare; taught Welsh Language and Literature at Swansea (1978-85); Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, Chairman Welsh Books Council (1989-94); edited Dictionary of Welsh Biography and books on Welsh literature.

Roberts, Caradog (l878-l935): Rhosllangerchrugog-born hymn writer best known for his tune Rachie, to which are sung the words “I Bob un sydd Ffydddlon" or “Onward Christian Soldiers.”

Roberts, David (b. l980): world class paralympic swimmer from Pontypridd with 4 Gold Medals at Athens Games, including two world records.

Roberts, Eigra Lewis (b. l939): playwright, short-story writer and novelist specializing in the woman's point of view. Her major work is Mis o Fehefin (The Month of June), l980.

Roberts, Eliazar (l825-l9l2): b. Pwllheli; musician pioneered the tonic sol-fa system in Wales, published texts in Welsh and wrote of the vibrant Liverpool Welsh community.

Roberts, Elis (d. l789): Bala-born, known as Y Cowper, poet and writer of interludes.

Roberts, Ellis, (l827-95): writer and editor, specializing in stories of Church life at Bangor and the history of Wales.

Roberts, Enid (l9l7-2002): from Llandgadfan, Mont; teacher and author who has written extensively on the social life of the gentry of the l6th and l7th centuries, a work of literary history and an edition of poet Sion Tudor.

Roberts, Evan (l878-l95l): former coalminer, apprentice blacksmith who religious leader who began The Great Revival in the Valleys (early 20th century) despite having no license to preach and no formal religious training. He attracted l00, 000 converts before going into seclusion and dying in obscurity.

Roberts, Sir Gareth (b.1940): taught physics at University College, Bangor; and University of Durham (Applied Physics); chief scientist and head of research (1986-90): Chancellor, Univ. of Sheffield (1991-2000). A Fellow of Univ. of Wales College of Medicine, he has written on the physics of semiconductors and molecular electronics.

Roberts, Glyn (l904-62): historian and college administrator whose writings on Medieval Welsh society are Aspects of Welsh History (l969).

Roberts, Gomer Morgan (l904-l993): b. Llandybie, Carms; coal miner and Calvinist Methodist minister with many publications on his religion.

Roberts, Isaac (1829-1904): B. Grows, Denbigh, astronomer who pioneered the photography of distant stars through his telescope and camera combination, producing detailed pictures of the Andromeda Nebula. The Roberts Crater on the moon is named for him.
Roberts, John (l576-l60l): Catholic priest born in Trawsfynydd, active in London, who was given a great feast in his honor at Newgate Prison the night before his execution for treason.

Roberts, John (Sion Robert Lewis, l73l-l806): from Holyhead, hymn writer, compiler of almanacs, and the first book on arithmetic in Welsh.

Roberts, John (Ieuan Gwyllt, 1822-77): responsible for Wales's reputation as “the Land of Song,” he published his Llyfr Tonau Cynulleidfaol (Book of Congregational Tunes) in l859; and his Swn y Jiwbili (Sounds of the Jubilee) in l874, both of enormous influence.

Roberts, John John (Iolo Carnarvon, l840-l9l4): b. Llanllyfni, Caerns; minister; three-time Crown winner; prolific member of the “Bardd Newydd school.

Roberts, Kate (l89l-l985): novelist and short-story writer, a most distinguished Welsh language author whose stories deal with life in the North Wales quarrying districts. She edited Baner ac Amserau Cymru (Banner and Welsh Times) at Gwasg Gee for a number of years, and wrote books for children.

Roberts, Lynette (1909-1995): born to Welsh emigrants in Argentina; after working in Buenos Aires, moved to London, married Keidrich Rhys in 1940, settled in Wales. Her “Gods with Stainless Ears” has been praised by Anthony Conran as the greatest war poem of l939-45.

Roberts, Rachel (l927- l980): b. Llanelli, committed suicide in Los Angeles; a gifted stage and screen actresses; began her long, alcohol and depression-filled career at the Grand Theatre Swansea in l950 (with future stars Clifford Evans, Richard Burton, and Kenneth Williams). Her films included Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (l960), This Sporting Life (l963) and many others. For two years, a regular on the American TV series The Tony Randall Show.

Roberts, Richard (1789-1864): quarryman from Montgomeryshire who had remarkable mechanical ability. Working for John Wilkinson, he invented a screw-cutting lathe a machine to plane metal in l8l7. He also improved weaving machines, steam engines, ships and rail cars.

Roberts, Robert (Bob Tai'r Felin 1870-1951): folk singer who helped preserve traditional ballads that otherwise may have disappeared.

Roberts, Robert (Silyn: l87l-l930): poet prominent in the early 20th century Welsh literary revival. An ardent Socialist, he founded the N. Wales branch of the Workers' Education Association in l925.

Roberts, Robert Evan ((b. 19l2): b. Llanilar, Denbigh: General Secretary of National Council of YMCA’s (1965-75): member of World Council of Y.M.C.A.’s.

Roberts, Samuel (S. R. l800-85): from Llanbrynmair: minister and writer who had great influence in the struggles of Welsh Nonconformity against the Establishment. His radical activities led to his emigration to the U.S. in l857 to try to establish a Welsh community in Tennessee, but its failure meant return home.

Roberts, Selyf (l9l2): b. Corwen, Mer; novelist and short-story writer, ex P.O.W. and Prose Medal winner who has translated Lewis Carrol into Welsh.

Robert, Thomas (l765-l84l): b. Abererch, Caerns; pamphleteer who began something of a tourist trade in North Wales by bringing visitors to view Telford’s suspension bridge over the Menai Straits.

Roberts, Thomas Richard (b.1948): educated St. Asaph Grammar and Univ. College, Swansea; director of Center for Ecology and Hydrology, National Government Research Council; Prof. of Botany at Toronto; vice-President, Welsh National Council, 1975. Has published works on planning and ecology.

Roberts, William Jon (Gwilym Cowlyd, l828-l904): b. Trefriw, Caerns. Printer, bookseller and minor poet who began a short-lived assembly as a rival to the Gorsedd: Arwest Glan Geirionydd (l865-90.)

Roberts, Sir Wyn (b. 1930): Anglesey-born politician, a former journalist and program director with the BBC, appointed as Minister of State of the Welsh Office in l979; first elected as Tory MP for Conwy, l970.

Roberts-Jones, Ivor (l9l4-l997): Welsh sculptor whose best-known work is the huge bronze statue of Winston Churchill outside the Houses of Parliament.

Robins, the: Wrexham's battling team, the only North Wales side to play in the English Football League. Has had its share of ups and downs.

Robinson, Steve (b. l969): on April l6, l993, featherweight boxer who became the first Welsh World boxing champion in 25 years when he defeated John Davison of Newcastle.

Rolls, Charles Stewart (1878-1910): Monmouth-born, son of Lord Llangatock, partnered Henry Royce to form Rolls-Royce Ltd in 1906. In 1910, he was the first Briton to die in a plane crash.

Roose-Evans, James (b. l927): b. London of Welsh parents, raised in Powys: theatre director and author of children’s stories and plays for broadcasting.

Rowland, Daniel (l7l3-l790): converted to Methodism in l737, famous for his fiery sermons at Llangeitho whose publications were of enormous influence in the formation of the Calvinistic Methodist Church of Wales (now the Presbyterian Church of Wales).

Rowland, Robert David (Anthropus, l853-l944): Corwen minister, poet, and journalist, worked on Yr Herald Cymraeg and literary editor of Baner ac Amserau Cymru (l904-l4): wrote weekly articles and authored books and stories for children; edited Trysorfa’r Plant (Treasures for Children (l9l2-32).

Rowlands, Dafydd (b. l93l): poet, essayist, teacher; Eisteddfod Crown and Prose Medal winner.

Rowlands, John (b. l938): college lecturer who has written critical studies of Dafydd ap Gwilym and several novels.

Rowlands, Robert John (Meuryn, l880-l967): poet and journalist, editor Yr Herald Cymraeg (l92l-l967), prize-winning poet and writer of children's books.

Rowlands, William (l802-65): bibliographer who collected and catalogued Welsh books, including The Cambrian Bibliography (l869).

Royal Harpists: include Robert ap Huw, harpist to Edward lst. Subsequent royal harpists from Wales have been William More, harpist to Henry Vlll; Lewis Willimas-Evans, harpist to James ll; Charles l, and Charles ll; Charles Evans, William Powell, for who Handel wrote his Harp Concerto; blind John Parry (harpist to the Prince of Wales, later George lll); John Thomas (harpist to Queen Victoria) and Catrin Finch, harpist to the current Prince of Wales.

Royal Welch Fusiliers (b. l689): unique for its right to wear the Flash of black ribbons on the collar (allowed to remain by William lV). Begun as the 23rd Regiment of Foot formed by Lord Herbert of Cherbury at Ludlow after the Battle of the Boyne it fought on the Continent, including Blenheim. It distinguished itself in the American Revolutionary War, including the capture of Charleston and the Battle of Camden. The Regiment fought with distinction over the next two hundred years, ranging from Crimea to China to the Gulf and Bosnia. In the Boxer Rebellion, the regiment fought alongside American Marines at Peking. In l844, the regimental goat joined the ranks, a gift from Queen Victoria.

Russell, Bertrand (l872-l970): b. Monmouthshire, philosopher and mathematician. He published many influential works, including Principia Mathematica (1910-l3) with Alfred North Whitehead, and History of Western Philosphy (l945). He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in l950.

Rush, Ian (b. l96l): b. Flint: footballer who began his professional career with Chester, but made 658 first team appearances for Liverpool where he became the club's all-time leading goal scorer; played for Wales 73 times.

Rutter, Sir Frank (l9l9-2003): physician and medical administrator who left Wales in l963 for New Zealand after serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps in WWll; first chairman of the newly formed New Zealand Welsh National Gymanfa Committtee in l99l.

Rhees, Morgan John (1760-1804): Baptist minister who worked to oppose the slave trade, propose a missionary movement, establish Sunday schools, reform Parliament, and disestablish the Anglican Church in Wales. In 1794, he bought a large tract of land in Pennsylvania that he named Cambria.

Rhees, Benjamin Rush (1798-183l): Welsh-American medical doctor and pioneer in combating smallpox in Philadelphia; helped found Jefferson College, where he became Dean and chaired the Institute of Medicine and Medical Jurisprudence.

Rhees, William Jones (1830-1907): son of Benjamin; served as Chief Clerk, then Chief Executive of the Smithsonian Institution and keeper of the Archives.

Rhodri Mawr (Rhodri the Great, d.877): the only Welsh King to be called Great. He unified the kingdoms of Wales into a strong state, successfully defended against both the Vikings and the English.

Rhydderch Hen (6th century): a king of Welsh Strathclyde, associated with the legends of Myrddyn (Merlin) found in the works of Geoffrey of Monmouth.

Rhyddarch, Rhees: (1620-1707): from Carmarthen: served as an officer under Cromwell, emigrated to US in 1701 when he was 81 years old with wife Catherine; he became a leading figure in Delaware’s Welsh community at Welsh Tract Baptist Church.

Rhydderch, Llio: one of her nation’s premier contemporary harpists. Taught by Nansi Richards, she is called “Queen of the Welsh Triple Harp.”

Rhygyfarch (Ricemarchus, l056-99): Latin scholar at Lanbadarn Fawr, who wrote a Life of St. David as well as The Ricemarch Psalter.

Rhys ap Gruffydd (the Lord Rhys, ll32-ll97): King of Deheubarth, whose long struggle against the Normans intent on totally eradicating all traces of "the Britannic name," kept alive in southern Wales the idea of Welsh nationhood.

Rhys ap Tudor (l040-93): King of Deheubarth who heroically resisted the invasions of the Normans after he had gained control of Deheubarth in battle against the kings of Morgannwg and Gwynedd.

Rhys, Edward Prosser (l90l-45): Eisteddfod Crown winner, and editor of Baner ac Amserau Cymru (Banner and Welsh Times) l923 -l945.

Rhys, Ernest (l859-l946): poet and prose writer, a leading figure in Welsh literature and editor of Dent's Everyman Library, the largest library of cheaply priced books before Penguin.

Rhys, Jean (1894-1979): daughter of a Welsh doctor and Creole mother, she came to London from Dominica as a teenager; writer of short stories and novels, including Wide Sargasso Sea (1966).

Rhys, John (l840-l9l5): philologist, Celtic professor and Principal of Jesus College, Oxford. He placed Welsh in the context of other Indo-European Celtic Languages; edited the Mabinogion, and wrote on archeology and folk customs.

Rhys, Keidrych (l9l5-87): poet and editor, who founded the periodical Wales in l937, the Druid Press in Carmarthen; worked as a columnist for the English newspaper, The People, and edited poetry anthologies, including Modern Welsh Poetry (l944).

Rhys, Morgan (1716-79): b. Cil y Cwm, Carmarthen. A schoolteacher and important Welsh hymn writer.

Rhys, Morgan John (l760-l804): b. Llanbradach, Glam; minister and political writer, preached against slavery and advocated parliamentary reform, emigrated to Pennsylvania who founded a colony called Cambria “for free and enlightened people”; its chief town of Beulah attracted many from Wales.

Rhys, Sion Dafydd (1534-l609): b. Anglesey; medical doctor who wrote an influential Welsh Grammar and defended the writings of Geoffrey of Monmouth.

Rhys-Davies, John (b. l944): born to a Welsh family in England, a popular actor wtith many television and screen successes, including Grimli in Lord of the Rings and Priam in Helen of Troy.