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MR F W BROWN Senior Mathematics Master 1925 – 1953. Second Master 1941 - 1953
In our last issue of Spring Grovian we recorded Mr. F.W. Brown's retirement and gave generous tribute to both the wonderful skill and the untiring devotion of his work at Spring Grove. Now, alas, with sorrow we record his untimely death in July 1956, at the comparatively early age of 63.
He was educated at Sandown Grammar School, Isle of Wight, and at the University College (now the university) of Southampton, graduating B.Sc. 1st Division (London) in 1913. His first teaching service at Newport Grammar School, Isle of Wight, (1914-1920) was broken by several years in the R.G.A. in the First World War. He had further teaching experience at the Lydney Grammar School (1920-1921) and at Steyning Grammar School (1921-1925). It speaks volumes for his tenacity and mathematical ability that despite the heavy strain involved in teaching he managed to continue his studies to such effect that by 1923 he obtained Upper Second Class Honours in Mathematics at London, no mean academic achievement even for a full-time student. Even after appointment of Senior Matematical Master at Spring Grove in 1925 he continued further studies, and by 1930 obtained the M.Sc. of London in the Principles, Methods and History of Science. This by no means exhausted his intellectual appetite for, as his friends well know, he was widely read in literature as well as science and had truly achieved a liberal education.
Under his charge the Mathematics Department grew steadily stronger and by the time of his retirement the record of successes by both pupils and ex-pupils was indeed gratifying. Many are the Old Boys of the Sixth Form who are deeply indebted to his inspiration; many, too, the less gifted mathematically who can testify to the patient, firm and yet ever kindly help they received. So beloved he was, alike by pupils, old pupils and all his colleagues, that all keenly cherished the hope of long and satisfying retirement after so worthy a career. The more was the shock when this hope was so sadly dashed by his sudden passing.
To those privileged to know and work with him for so many years his memory will be forever sweet. It is difficult to convey the remarkable combination of his qualities, but, fortunately the delightful memorial portrait of F.W. Brown by our gifted Art Master, Mr C. Bullough, cleverly catches much of the character of the man. Visit the school library; examine the portrait carefully; see there those lively enquiring blue eyes peering quizzically over spectacles well down on the nose, and, at second hand, you will enjoy the experience of hundreds of erstwhile Spring Grovians who felt the impact of that masterly yet truly gentle mind.
To generations F.W. Brown was known as "Basher" Brown; no one ever knew quite why. Certainly his generous physical proportions might well have inspired in the young some forebodings as to their fate should he have directed his energies in certain directions, but, in fact, of all men, physical violence was furthest from his nature. Some have even suggested that "Basher" was a corruption of "bashful," and, indeed, this may come nearer to the truth, for F.W. Brown was by nature extremely sensitive and reserved, ever considerate of the feelings of others. To a generous heart and a fine mind of high mathematical ability and liberal culture, add the highest integrity of character and a most unassuming modesty, spice all with a genial mirth, and there stands a great teacher, a loyal colleague, a faithful friend and a gentleman. |