Ernest Rhys

Ernest Rhys (1859-1946) was a Welsh-English writer, editor and literary critic best known for founding and editing the Everyman's Library series of affordable classic literature reprints. As editor of Everyman's Library from 1906 to 1935, Rhys was responsible for publishing nearly a thousand volumes of literary classics, helping to democratize access to important works of literature during a crucial period of working-class education and literacy. His vision of providing high-quality editions at low prices had a lasting impact on publishing and literary accessibility. Beyond his editorial work, Rhys was a poet and essayist who published several collections including Welsh Ballads (1898) and Rhymes for Everyman (1933). He maintained close friendships with notable literary figures like W.B. Yeats and was active in the Welsh literary revival movement of the late 19th century. Rhys's autobiography "Everyman Remembers" (1931) provides valuable insights into the literary world of the early 20th century and documents his significant contribution to publishing history. His legacy lives on through the continuing publication of Everyman's Library editions.

Limited reader reviews and ratings exist for Ernest Rhys's works, making it difficult to assess general reader sentiment. On Goodreads, his books have very few ratings - most have fewer than 5 reviews total. Readers who commented appreciated his role as editor of the Everyman's Library series more than his original works. His poetry collections and literary criticism received minimal attention from modern readers. The few available reviews note his contributions to making classic literature accessible through affordable editions, but found his own writing style dated and formal. On Amazon and archive.org, readers highlighted Rhys's introductions to classic works as informative but sometimes overly academic. One reader noted his "scholarly but rather dry approach." Average Ratings: Goodreads: - Everyman Remembers (memoir): 3.0/5 (2 ratings) - Welsh Ballads: 3.5/5 (2 ratings) Amazon: No significant review presence Archive.org: Scattered individual reviews, no aggregate ratings

Everyman Remembers - A 1931 autobiography detailing Rhys's literary career and his role in founding the Everyman's Library series.

The Fiddler of Carne - A 1896 novel depicting Welsh rural life and folklore through the story of a wandering musician.

Welsh Ballads and Other Poems - An 1898 collection of poems drawing heavily on Welsh mythology and traditional verse forms.

The Leaf Burners - A 1899 collection of short stories set in the Welsh countryside exploring themes of rural tradition and change.

The New Golden Treasury of Songs and Lyrics - A 1914 anthology compiling English poetry from the 16th to 19th centuries.

Lyric Poetry - A 1913 scholarly examination of the development and characteristics of lyrical verse in English literature.

The Growth of Political Liberty - A 1921 historical study tracing the evolution of democratic rights in Britain.

The Life of Sir Richard Burton - A 1906 biography of the notable Victorian explorer and translator.