Ennis Rees

COLUMBIA - Dr. Ennis Rees, 84, passed away March 24, 2009.

Rees was born March 17, 1925, in Newport News, Virginia. He graduated from William and Mary College, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, ODK and won the Botetourt Medal of Scholarship. He went on to get his Ph.D. from Harvard University in comparative literature. He was Professor of English at the University of South Carolina for over 30 years. Previously he taught at Duke University and Princeton University.

Rees was the author of 21 books, most notably as a translator of Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey, well known to generations of college students. His other books are Selected Poems, Fables From Aesop, and a number of children’s books in verse, including Brer Rabbit, Brer Rabbit and His Tricks, Riddles, Riddles Everywhere, and Fast Freddie Frog. He had many well-known illustrators, including Edward Gorey.

Rees was appointed Poet Laureate of South Carolina in 1984, and was inducted into the South Carolina Academy of Authors in 1999.

He is survived by his wife, Marion Lott Rees and his children, Amy Rees McKee and Jeffrey Stuart Rees, and grandchildren, Megan Mckee and Caitlin McKee. He was predeceased by son, Andrew Rees and brother, George Rees.

A memorial service will be held in Rutledge Chapel at the University of South Carolina, Monday, March 30, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

Please sign online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com.