Notable local people
Over the centuries many famous people have been associated with our area.
Some because they have held the title of Lord of Miskin and others as they have been the Sheriff of Miskin.
The following are those people whose links are the strongest, having been born in the area or resided in it for some time.
If you know of any other notable people with links to Pontyclun please advise us and we shall be pleased to add them to this record
- David WilliamsBorn 12 July 1809 at Llwyn Drain in the parish of Ystrad Owen, Glamorganshire. About 1821 his parents removed to Aberdare He soon attained a prominent position in the coal-mining world of South Wales owning and running a number of pits including the colliety at Aberaman which became known as Williams pit He made great… Read more: David Williams
- George Thomas Clark
Colonel George Thomas Clark (26 May 1809 – 31 January 1898) was a British surgeon and engineer. He was particularly associated with the management of the Dowlais Iron Company. He was also an antiquary and historian of Glamorgan. Clark was born in Chelsea, London, He was educated at Charterhouse School then articled to a surgeon,… Read more: George Thomas Clark - Godfrey ClarkGodfrey Clark (1855-1918), the son of George Clark was Chair of the Pontypridd improvement Board until the creation of the Llantrisant & Llantwit Fardre District Council in 1894 to which he was elected and became Chair. Clarke bought Maesyfelin farm in 1907 and immediately began to shape 20th century Pontyclun. He developed the housing between… Read more: Godfrey Clark
- Gwylim Williams
Judge Gwilym Williams was born in Aberdare, to the son of a colliery proprietor.He was educated at Cowbridge grammar school, the Normal College, Swansea, and in France. He became a barrister of the Inner Temple, 1863, and in the same year, on the death of his father, a wealthy landowner, as the proprietor of the… Read more: Gwylim Williams - Keith Pontin
Keith Pontin (born 14 June 1956) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a central defender. Pontin began his career with Cardiff City, making nearly 200 league appearances and earning two caps for the Welsh national team. He later played for Merthyr Tydfil and Barry Town. Born in Pontyclun, Pontin began his career… Read more: Keith Pontin - Sils ap SionA Glamorgan bard of the late 16th Century It is thought that he lived near Radyr and Llandaff however at least one reference book refers to a Sils ap Siôn who lived in the commote of Miskin. A small collection of his work and that of some of his contemporaries, is preserved (probably in his own… Read more: Sils ap Sion
- Sir Brandon Rhys-Williams
He was born on 14 November 1927, the son of Sir Rhys Rhys Williams. He assumed the name of Rhys-Williams in lieu of Williams in 1938, and succeeded to the baronetcy and inherited Miskin Manor on his father’s death in 1955. He was educated at Eton and at Bolton Technical College, and served in the… Read more: Sir Brandon Rhys-Williams - Sir Rhys Williams
Born 20 October 1865 the eldest son of Judge Gwilym Williams. He went to Eton in 1880 and Oriel College, Oxford, and was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1890. He practiced for some years on the South Wales circuit, succeeding his father as chairman of the quarter sessions in Glamorganshire in 1906,… Read more: Sir Rhys Williams - Tommy Rees
Thomas “Tommy” Edgar Rees (22 August 1904 – 10 November 1968) was a Welsh rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s. He was born in Pontyclun and had the knickname ‘Tommy Italy1 becuase his father had gone to Italy to assist in the tin plate industry there He… Read more: Tommy Rees - William Williams
Born at Tan-y-coed, Pen-llin, Glamorganshire, 30 December 1817, son of Evan Williams. He was educated at the Eagles school, Cowbridge. He was admitted to full membership of the church at Pen-llin at the age of 18, and began to preach at the age of 21. He kept a school for a time at Brynsadler and… Read more: William Williams