Rhys Davies (1901-1978) was novelist and short-story writer. Born in Clydach Vale, he attended Porth Intermediate School and, in his early twenties, went to live in London where he became a full-time writer. His first three books all appeared in 1927. During the following year he travelled to France where he became friendly with D. H. Lawrence. Apart from a period during the Second World War, he lived almost entirely by the writing of novels and short stories, and published prolifically. Davies also wrote a play, The Maid of Cefn Ydfa, a successful musical, Jennie Jones, as well as two topographical essays and a volume of autobiography. Information taken from Meic Stephens' New Companion to the Literature of Wales (University of Wales Press, 1998)