Rhys Davies (1901-1978) was one of the most prolific and unusual writers to emerge from the Welsh industrial valleys in the twentieth century. Born in Clydach Vale, he spurned conventional education and left the valley, which was to be the basis of much of his work, at the age of nineteen, settling in London, which was to remain his base until he died. Early in his literary career, he travelled to the south of France where he was befriended by D. H. Lawrence. Though the bulk of his work was in the novel he achieved his greatest distinction in the field of the short story.
