School of Law

We have received many messages of condolence from former colleagues and students, peers and friends of John Brown. If you'd like to add your own message, please contact us by email.

Dear John,

You shall be missed but never forgotten.

You enabled so many students including myself to travel abroad. These experiences have changed thousands of students' academic life and for this I wish to thank you.

You were a gentleman and a scholar who always had time for his students.

You managed to make Tax Law interesting, for this alone I think you deserve the highest award possible, but I think you have it, respect and admiration from your students.

God bless

Rest In Peace

Michael

Michael James Bowes

We learned with great sadness about the passing away of John Brown.

We remember John as one of the most active and enthusiast members of our Rotterdam Law Network (RLN). He was one of the ‘pillars’ of RLN keeping the network together. John was a big supporter of student mobility and stimulated many students to go abroad. His contributions to our discussions were always substantial and valuable.

Also we remember his sense of humour, a real Scotsman in the best sense of the word.

John Brown and the Rotterdam Law Network were and will be inextricably  linked to each other.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Anette van Sandwijk and Jaap de Zwaan
Erasmus University Rotterdam/Rotterdam Law Network

I would like to express my deepest sympathies for the entire Brown family at this tragic time. Mr Brown was a fantastic teacher and exceptional man, who made my Erasmus experience extremely special due to his extra  help and effort throughout my year abroad.

I also had the pleasure of being taught by Mr Brown and I will forever remember him and the raft of quirky quotes that have made him famous in the Law school.

Alessandro Renucci

I have some very fond and vivid memories of John Brown. To me, he was delightfully cheeky and utterly humane; an extremely warm and likable man who unquestioningly supported student initiative - in particular stepping into the breach to chair one popular law student event in 2002. His deep love for his family (wife and daughters) was unmissable even to the most part time of students and as a tax lecturer he rolled up his sleaves and made a potentially arid subject all the more palatable and personal. I am very pleased to have known him the  little that I did. My sincere condolences.

Fiona Southward

John's  classes were such a breath of fresh air during a year which I found particuarly difficult at university, his clear passion for teaching and general good nature shone through in every lecture. His work for Erasmus is also something I am so thankful for as my opportunity  to go abroad this year has been the absolute making of me.

I am very appreciative to have met this inspiration of a man and am deeply sorry for his loss, my thoughts are with his oft-mentioned family of whom, even from the few encounters I had with him, he clearly had a great love for.

Marie-Claire Boyle

John was one of the first members of the faculty, and indeed one of the first people, that I got to know when I arrived at University. He was my legal systems tutor. I remember him teaching us how to construe a statute, and about Pepper v Hart.

Initially, I was forcefully struck by his titan-mane, faux-belligerence and eclectic sense of style. Sandals, with socks. He was one of the first men that I ever heard, forcefully (always with feeling) extol the unmatched virtues of suitably obnoxious French cheese and a glass of red, French (or even German), wine.

To be frank, I think that I was initially rather wary of John. He was, odd as it may sound (and as it now seems to me), something slightly alien to me. Even exotic.

I think that John would guffaw if he heard me describe him as exotic.

Over the course of my time at University John was my teacher in legal systems, tax law and the European Human Rights Project. He won my unqualified respect for his intellect and his passion for his work and his students (above all his students). Most fundamentally, I admired the simple decency and integrity with which he conduct himself and engaged with all those around him. He was a rare man, and one I consider myself  honoured to have known and learned from.

It would be remiss not to recall the way John spoke about his family. It is a cliché, but nonetheless true, that when John spoke about his daughters he glowed (an interesting sight given his colouring). John was the first Scottish man of his generation that I ever met who was entirely unabashed in sharing with others how much he loved his family. That was something else about him which I greatly admired, and aspired to emulate.

John will be missed. He was teacher and mentor to so many of us. My  thoughts are with his cherished family.

Joseph Barrett

A truly wonderful human being who I only had a small opportunity to come across. He made learning in Law School immeasurably more entertaining than all others who had tried. His passion and enthusiasm was highly infectious and his work for study abroad and help he gave me was superb.

He will be sorely missed.

Fraser Hopper

John Brown did what only few could and will do: he made our tax lectures colourful, comprehensible and fun - the lectures being filled at many points with laughter at John's excellent sense of humour. These were tax-related jokes and also observations on life more generally, from the loud mobile conversation of the woman on the train to sport or to the interior design tastes of Mrs Brown.

Currently on my Erasmus exhange, John Brown made the process as painfree as possible and gave me huge reassurance that it was the right thing to do. He was right and I owe much to him for having the most amazing year.

He was a genius, an inspiration, funny and, above all, a thoroughly  decent person.

Graeme McKelvie

I first came to know John as the guru of Glasgow's ERASMUS programme.

He helped me fulfil my dream of living and studying in Berlin, and in doing so convinced me that he, and by extension Glasgow Law School, valued the student's character - integrity, compassion, good humour (three of John's own most enduring traits) - just as highly as academic rigour.

I returned with this conviction for my fourth year and took part in the HRs Project as part of a team that brought along its own mascot, a t-shirted teddy bear.  "Uncle John" christened the bear "Ted", and adopted it as a perennial participant to accompany successive delegations of Glasgow students to Strasbourg for years to come. John maintained that Ted's role went far beyond providing him with a soft pillow for the occasional nap; by gauging students' interactions with Ted, John said he could better diagnose their level of nerves, their self-assurance,  and their psycho-social condition!

John was much-loved, and will be forever remembered, as the Project's francophile (a perfect foil to Jim Murdoch's germanophile tendencies), observational wit, and all-round Agony Uncle.  The support he provided us was heartfelt and greatly inspirational, and has given so many  of us Strasbourg Alumni a great boost ever since.

Thank you John for everything.  May your kind soul rest in perfect  peace.

Gavin Simpson

So sorry to hear such sad news. I always dreaded studying tax law until I met John Brown. He made the subject fun and inspired me to consider a career in this area. I remember him telling us to always reach for the top which I intend to do. I will always remember him and grateful that he encouraged me to do an erasmus year. He will  always be missed but his memory will live on forever.

Emma

John was a colleague and a lovely lovely man I am sorry he did not get much time to spend in his retirement.  He will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

Helen Vincent

I'd like to leave my condolences to the family of John Brown. He was a great man, and the erasmus programme he ran changed the course of  my life.

Hayley Hooper

I was so sad to hear of John Brown's passing away, and wish to offer condolences to his family and friends. Professor Brown was one of the funniest, wisest men I ever had the pleasure of meeting. He will  be sadly missed and fondly remembered.

Hayley Gibson, KCL

John was the lecturer I will remember most from university.  He was always warm and engaging, and his enthuthiasm for studying abroad had an impact on hundreds of students' lives.  My thoughts are with  his family in this difficult time.

Matt Leon

I did not know John for very long but he was a very nice person and a great asset to the School of Law.  My condelences to his family  for their sad loss.

Carole Melvin

I remember John with great affection from our trips back and forward to Glasgow, in which I learned about the great evils of Rangers and rising house prices. On setting off home, I often had to wait, in that office full of cards and the teddy bear, while he generously  spent time helping a worried student.

He was someone who did others a great many favours, never expecting any in return, and who quietly supported many of us in hard times,  never making any show of it.

He was hugely proud of his family, not just their many successes, but of how each of his girls had turned out, and of Clare and her wonderful teaching. Those driving trips would have been grim without his company and I missed him very much when I transferred to Stirling.

It's heartbreaking that this last undeserved blow hit John and his  family.  None of us will forget him.

Kay Goodall

Sadly gone, but never forgotten; I know I am just one of many who will miss and remember you. As you got me my first share on a season  ticket at Parkhead, I can only end with: Hail Hail!

Jason

"To be born a gentleman is fate but to die a gentleman is an achievement."

I,

like Mr McKinlay, wil never forget our times in Strasbourg, Old Trafford, and many, many bars with JB over the years.

A true gentleman, whom I shall miss terribly. I know I shall not be  alone. My condolences to the family.

David Thomson, Advocate

The Strasbourg experience just wouldn't have been the same without him - happy memories of a demanding but very rewarding week.  Thanks  John!  You will be sadly missed.

Gillian Black

My memories of John are bound up in an unforgettable trip to Strasbourg in 1994. We shared a mutual interest in a particular football team from Glasgow and that got our relationship off to a great start. Although we had what might be described as diametrically opposing political views, our discussions were always light-hearted and very enjoyable.

Since 1994, whenever I met him in the corridor both a student and now as a teacher, he was always very friendly, and I'm glad to say that the conversation was dominated by football and not politics!

John - you are a legend of the Stair building and you will be very sadly missed by staff and students alike. David

David McKie

Dear John, long times ago in the beginning of Erasmus program we met in Konstanz to sign our institutional partnership. Since then we had good relations. I ll never forgot you!

Yours Nikolaus

Nikolaus Assfalg

Dear John, I was a privileged person that I had a chance to know you as a wonderful, giving, smiling and open-minded person during and between the Rotterdam network meetings. Will keep these precious memories for many many years ahead. Rest in peace for the eternity.

Audra D. Burokiene

The most sincere condolences to the Family of John.

John was a lovely man, a good colleague possessed with a wry dry sense of humour, and always with something to say.  My condolences to his beloved daughters.  I shall remember him fondly.

Iain Scobbie

Mr Brown was an inspiration to us all. I'm sorry to hear the terrible news, and my thoughts are with his family at this time. His enthusiasm encouraged me to strive for the best; to push towards horizons I would otherwise have not considered possible. His memory will remain strong  in the many people he helped.

Jonathan Smith

A lovely man and an inspiring lecturer. Condolences to his family.

Brogan

I worked with John for many years and he was a brilliant colleague and a lovely man.  We shared an interest??? in Celtic (it was my local team, though I don't follow football).  He made a huge contribution to the Law School, but more importantly he was a lovely, gentle man who loved his wife and children, about whom he spoke often and with great love. His colleagues loved him, his students loved him and he will be sadly missed.  My sincere condolences to his wife and chilrden.

I am really sorry that I will be out of the country on Friday otherwise I would have been there to pay my respects to a truly lovely man.

I am so sorry. Sheila

Sheila McLean

I was deeply saddened to hear of John's passing. Had it not been for him and his enthusiasm for ERASMUS, I may not have gone to Spain, stayed, and met my French partner. He will be remembered fondly by all of us.

Louise Doig

I would like to give my sympathy for the friends and family of John Brown at this time, and express my great sorrow for a man who has given so much to the School of Law and to everyone around him. I had the pleasure of being a student of his and his help and enthusiasm in the exchange program over the years was something he will be widely remembered for. My years at Glasgow University and abroad would have not been the same without his involvement, and it saddens me that  he is no longer with us.

I give my deepest sympathies to his family at this time for a truly  wonderful man.
x

Lisa Dobbin

So many memories ranging from John driving us up the hill in a blizard as we approached our next stop off on the Human Rights project to the sharing of a beer (or two!) whilst taking in the first two days of the Ashes test match at Old Trafford in 2005.   Many hours spent discussing football and being seen by John as a "reasonable Rangers supporter"  (a true compliment from him!) but always finding time to catch up on our respective families - John was rightly proud of his girls.  I feel privileged to have shared some fine times in his  company and will always remember him fondly.

Andrew McKinlay

I have many fond memories of John Brown as a tax lecturer, but it is the time spent with him on the Human Rights Project that I will remember the most.  Supportive, encouraging, sometimes grumpy, and always funny, his love for a team in white and green was matched only by the love he had for his family, which he expressed frequently.

Quite simply, those who met him will never forget him.

Roddy Hart

Dear John,

You have been and you will be forever my friend, I will miss you, and especially  your sense of humor. I appreciate the way you have been facing bad luck in your last years of your life.  

Your friend Joe,

former ERASMUS coordinator from Masaryk University Brno

Josef Bejcek, Masaryk University Brno

John was as fine a teacher as he was an individual. An inspiration and an example to us all. As part of that, John was a great pal to so many. Many very fond memories of John from my years spent in the Stair Building and beyond, not least those from our time on the Human  Rights Project. Sincere condolences to the family.

Tony Byrne

He was a wonderful man who will be remembered fondly by all who learned  from him.

Martin Graham

John Brown played a key role in encouraging me to take part in the ERASMUS program and without him I would have missed out on the best year of my life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues.

Christopher Voysey

He was an amazing man and a very talented lecturer. He definitely inspired us all and I'm glad I had the pleasure of taking his class last year.

Julie Conner

He was a special person and an inspiration to many.  How desperately sad that he had so little time away from work, and what an awful blow for his daughters in particular.  Life did not treat him very fairly, but while he was here he was so full of life.

Linda Buchan

Mr Brown was a legend and I will be forever grateful for his help and support - without him I wouldn't have had the studying abroad experience I had, which I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Linda Lu

I have only just learned of this sad news and my deepest sympathies go to John's family. I always enjoyed tax lectures with John and his  absence at the School of Law will be noticed.

May he rest in peace.

Christopher Watt

I didn't know John Brown personally, just as one of the many students in his tax lectures, but he still managed to make a massive impact on me and I can genuinely say that he was the nicest man I have ever met. His girls were his world and absolutely every one of his students could tell you that. My thoughts go out to his family.

Kirsten

Deeply saddened to learn of John's passing. I have so many fond memories of John as my tax law lecturer, as my tutor on the Strasbourg human rights honours course, and as my friend. His passion, belief and drive to enhance his students' knowledge, understanding and awareness was truly inspirational, and personally speaking has had a lasting effect.

John will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.

Colin Bole

John Brown was a great lecturer and succeeded in getting me excited about tax in 1992 at Glasgow University. A sad loss.

Helen Logan

We shall miss you, John, and never forget you. Our thoughts are with  his family.

Prof. Sigmar Stadlmeier

It was only yesterday that I learnt the terrible news about John.

I remember vividly the last time we met when he and his wonderful wife spent their summer holidays in Austria last year, and we spent such a cheerful day together at St.Gilgen. Also, I remember all the fun we had at the ERASMUS conferences over the years - it is hard  to imagine that such moments will now never be repeated...

Our thoughts are now with your family, John - you will always be remembered!

Ingrid & Gregor

Ingrid Mitgutsch, Kepler University Linz

My name is Maria Alba and I am from  Barcelona, Spain.

As many students, I studied in Glasgow during the academic year 1997/1998.

I came to know Mr. Brown quite well and he even came to Barcelona a couple of times where he could also attend to the Nou Camp and enjoy a Bara match.

I also enjoyed the company of his daughter, Mel, on one occasion while  she visited Barcelona with a friend.

The last time I spoke to him was at the end of last summer when trying to arrange a meeting during my stay in the South of England which sadly could not take place.

Now that, I'm flying to Scotland at the end of this month, where I was planning to meet him in Edimburgh I've just been told by Mrs.Morna  Roberts about the sad news.

I cannot help sharing my feelings with his family to whom I send my condolences. I will pray for him and all of you so that God gives  you comfort and resignation for such a great loss.

Maria Alba Camps Arnaiz

I had the pleasure of being taught Tax by Mr Brown in second year, both as the course lecturer and as a tutor. He really brightened up what some would consider a rather dull subject, and always made Tax enjoyable. I always looked forward to his lectures and tutorials and I feel extremely privileged to have been taught by such an intelligent,  funny and inspiring man. He will be sorely missed by all.

Claire Mackay

John was a brilliant teacher and inspired me to go into the career I am now in. I got to know him well through study abroad and he acted  as my dissertation advisor. He will be sorely missed.

Jennifer Smith

Sorry indeed to learn of John's death.  He was a wonderfully pleasant person who faced personal adversity with a smile.  A few years ago now we used to meet on the cricket field in the sping - Holy Cross Accies (his team) v Heriots (mine) - good times, not least in the Arboretum Road bar when the game was over.  Jug performances all round  :-).

Hector MacQueen

John was a thoughful and entertaining lecturer. Tax law was perhaps not the most anticipated course in the undergraduate programme, yet John made the experience rewarding and memorable. His personal anecdotes and analogies drawn chiefly from the football field brought the material  to life.

John was a extremely warm and friendly person to have around the law school - his cheerful air brightened its austere corridors. I was lucky enough also to benefit from his experience (and be privy to his insider knowledge) in the context of the Human Rights Project.

Condolences to John's family. He will be sorely missed.

Gregor Clunie

It was very sad to learn about John Brown's death.

Klaus Mayer

RIP John.  You made tax law lectures interesting, a task beyond any mere mortal!

Paul Scullion

Thoughts of a great man will live on forever. As will sadness at the loss of a special person. As an older student, talking with you about attending Davie Provan and Tommy Burns testimonial matches at length along with pressing issues of tax law meant that gaining a pass in the subject was possible. With eternal gratitude and great sadness.

Hail Hail.

Scott MacKay 4th Year

Mr Brown will be sadly missed by all his former students and by the many academic staff who spoke so fondly of him in Glasgow's ERASMUS partner institutions.

Jim Duffy

I'd like to say how sorry I was to hear this news.  John Brown was a top class lecturer and was a wonderful person.  A true legend of Glasgow University and it is testament to his character that he will always be remembered.

Best wishes to his family.

Andrew Sirel

My condolences to Mrs Brown & family.  Hard to believe that Mr Brown has passed away can still remember Mr Brown's lectures as if yesterday. Fantastic person always approachable, always helpful and always had funny stories to tell.  Will be missed immensely.

Julie Kaur

We have just learnt the sad news about John Brown.

We wish to express our deepest sympathy to you and caring thoughts.

Jean Pierre Jarnevic, Dean of the Law School – Université d’Auvergne
Allison Fiorentino, in charge of the Exchanges with United Kingdom (Law School)
Cécile Bernard, in charge of the International Office (Law School)

I first met John Brown at the Law School open day when he delivered a passionate talk on all Glasgow University had to offer. His enthusiasm and kind nature cemented my decision to come to Glasgow.

In my last year, I had the pleasure of working with Julia on the Human Rights Project which was an experience I will never forget. Julia always spoke so highly of her dad and her whole family.

My thoughts are with you all.

Eleanor Deeming

Many years of fun, banter and laughter. His adoration of his five girls was obvious. They will miss him terribly but we will never lose the good memories.

Ruth McGregor

I shall miss John, he used to be such a dear and lovely man with whom I have cooperated for many years. A loss for all of us and most for  his wife and daughters.

Majken Hjort, ERASMUS coordinator

I will always remember John when we first met in Nijmegen and made an important decision together with Ronnie: After a visit of the Nijmegen museum we would not return to the hotel to get ready for the dinner party at Noelle´s house but stay together for drinks in a student pub! I also remember how much he enjoyed the evening at the jazz club at the end of our meeting in Berlin. John was an inspiration to all  of us!

Andreas Fijal, Free University, Berlin

After receiving the sad news of John's death, I sent these remarks  to the members of the Rotterdam Erasmus network.

Since the birth of this network, John was a very active participant, strongly associated with it. He attended all the meetings until unfortunately his health prevented him from coming. During the discussions, his many observations were stamped with the seal of deep common sense. The clear presentation of his ideas always convinced us.

As we could observe, John was an intense believer in the Erasmus programme and a determined advocate of student exchanges. This was part of a larger perspective: the need to find ways permitting people of different cultures to understand each other. One of the objectives of his open-mindedness was to put stress on what brings nations closer instead of what separates them. He was even a vibrant apologist for a British and French alliance, which was the subject of endless discussions with him, in a joking style. All these good moments in his company were possible thanks to his great sense of humour, which we all appreciated. His facility to communicate with each of us made him a very popular person among all the representatives. An important figure of our group, he not only faithfully represented Glasgow University, he also symbolised  all the ideals in which we believe.

Certainly my remarks are formulated in disorder and a broken English, but at least I am sure that John would have forgiven me, since he  liked the way French people use Shakespeare's language.

Mrs Brown and her children should know that their husband and father is sorely missed and will not be forgotten by all his friends of the  Rotterdam group.

Gerard Legier, University Paul Cézanne Aix en Provence, France

Dear the Brown Family,

My name is Matthew Kidd and I have recently returned from my year abroad in Strasbourg (Mr Brown had told me that Strasbourg was one of his top 3 European cities). I am very sad to hear of Mr Browns passing, it was only 3 days after my return to Glasgow that I heard of his passing and it really came as a massive shock. I hope his wife and girls are coping the best someone can cope at this time. Every student knows about Johns daughters who he managed to, somehow, involve them in tax law! thus making light of a very difficult subject. I know I am a stranger to the family but Mr Brown was a very proud father and the stories of his wife assisting him with his parkinsons would always make everyone laugh, and then make everyone awe at what a lovely family he has. I recently lost my father too and I know everyone's situation is different so I hope the family is pulling together and keeping one another comforted. I know some of his daughters are across Europe so I hope everyone managed to get home ok. I will miss Mr Brown and my thoughts are with everyone in the family. I am honoured to have been taught by a great and inspiration man. Life isn't fair but as I was reminded after my dad died the worse things happen to the  best.

Matthew Kidd

I first met John Brown nearly twenty five years ago during his inspiring lectures and seminars on tax law. His comments on the 'forces of darkness' as he called Glasgow Rangers fell on deaf ears on my part.

John, however, got the last laugh when I moved to Dublin and encountered a plethora of John Browns on a daily basis. We did keep in touch,  and we would meet up when I came to Glasgow.

John bore his illness with the utmost courage and humour; another aspect of his life that engendered respect and affection from students and staff who have engaged with John over the years. He will be missed by many, and also remembered by many.

My thoughts are with his family: Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Stuart Garvie

Sad to hear John has passed. I thoroughly enjoyed his lectures, which is surprising given the subject! Also loved his Celtic and Rangers banter!

R.I.P.

Ross A Jones

Dear John, you will be sadly missed by all your friends in the School of Law. We all loved and admired you. You had  a major impact on the lives of so many students with your support for the ERASMUS exchange - a true European. My deepest sympathy goes to your family. Love Noreen and Aly

Noreen and Aly

If someone had told me I’d look forward to a tax lecture, I’d have smiled and given them a wide berth.  Yet with his blend of humour and intelligence, John Brown made tax law come to life.  I pulled the first of many all-nighters to hand in that tax assignment.  He inspired me to venture to France on Erasmus and was the perfect foil for Jim Murdoch in the Human Rights van (providing feedback on the music choices and keeping any “value judgements” on the driving to himself, mostly).  He appreciated the power of Ted (purchased in a classy establishment on Union Street).  Without him, I would not have met my Belgian husband and would not be raising my “Erasmus boy”.  If he had this much impact on my life, I can’t imagine what the ultimate thumbprint of his life is when all added up. My  thoughts are with John’s beloved family.

Joanne Teal and Dirk Lauweres

Am fortunate to have known John. A true gentleman. He will be sorely  missed.

Peter Race

Very sad news,

I'm sorry John did not get to enjoy his retirement.  Fortunately, he loved his job.

I'll remember John for his awful driving in Strasbourg and his appreciation of Alsatian wine.

On a more mundane level I know how to pronounce "schedule" thanks  to John!

I'm sure that Celtic are the better team in heaven, if not on earth!

A former student.

Dave Henderson

I first met John when he taught me tax law as part of my studies at Strathclyde University.  I was struck by his sense of humour and so was delighted to meet again when I came to glasgow to do a PhD.  We would often meet on the stairs and have humorous discussions about yoga - an interest and pass-time we both shared, although John could never quite understand why I insisted on testing its practical benefits every day! It is with a great deal of sadness that I hear of John's death and send my deepest condolences to his family.  John made me laugh on a regular basis and I shall remember that quality with fondness.

Jenny Scott

Though I made many friends during my time at Glasgow (now 20 years ago), none stand out more clearly in my thoughts than John. Many of my former colleagues have since gone on to forge distinguished academic careers whether in Glasgow or elsewhere. What John’s contribution at Glasgow reminds us is that universities remain places of liberal learning only by relying heavily on those who are committed not only to teaching but to giving their energies over to the task of guiding students and helping them on their way. In this role, JLRB excelled.

How could he not? His sharp humour, sound judgment, caring nature, innate concern for others and essential decency made him a bastion of the Stair Building. It a privilege to have known him. Sure, he was for me – as for many others - my trusted tax counsellor. But he was above all, a dear friend. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that I’m a better person by virtue of having known him. I hope Clare and his daughters draw some comfort from knowing just how widely admired and respected John was.

Martin Loughlin

Very saddened to hear this news. As I'm sure everyone will agree John was an inspiration to anyone who came across him. I had never really considered Erasmus until I attended his lecture on it and at the subsequent one to one meeting he made it clear to me just what a great opportunity it was. He really cared about his students and would always keep in touch whilst they were scattered across the globe. He also made the subject of tax law a lot more bearable. As I'm sure anyone who was in my year will recall he once pretended to be an aeroplane and ran around the lecture theatre in order to demonstrate some taxation point!!

It was small things like that and his passion for teaching that made  him such a great guy and he will be sorely missed.

Steven King

An inspirational lecturer but equally an inspirational man. John Brown's passing away is a great sadness and my thoughts are with his family  and friends.

Collette Gallagher

I will always remember the great irony, and kindness of John Brown.

He was one the first persons I met during a visiting research period at the School of Law, and he was so welcoming, so funny and so warm.

My condolences to his family of which he spoke a lot, and to all his  friends.

Ilenia Ruggiu

 

After receiving the sad news of John Brown's death, I feel the need to express my condolences and to ask you to transmit them to Mrs Brown and his children. I shall never forgot John and his spirit for life in an open-minded society of different cultures.  Kind regards.

Mariana Karagiozova-Finkova, Sofia University

 

My name is Maria Alba and I am from Barcelona, Spain. As many students, I studied in Glasgow during the academic year 1997/1998. I came to know Mr. Brown quite well and he even came to Barcelona a couple of times where he could also attend to the Nou Camp and enjoy  a Barca match. I also enjoyed the company of his daughter, Mel, on one occasion while she visited Barcelona with a friend.

I cannot help sharing my feelings with his family to whom I send my condolences. I will pray for him and all of you so that God gives you comfort and resignation for such a great loss. My best regards.

Maria Alba Camps

 

It was only yesterday that I learnt the terrible news about John. I remember vividly the last time we met when he and his wonderful wife spent their summer holidays in Austria last year, and we spent such a cheerful day together at St.Gilgen. Also, I remember all the fun we had at the ERASMUS conferences over the years - it is hard to imagine that such moments will now never be repeated...

Our thoughts are now with your family, John - you will always be remembered!

Ingrid and Gregor

We shall miss you, John, and never forget you. Our thoughts are with his family.

Prof. Sigmar Stadlmeier

 

John Brown was an inspiration to many and his dedication to his students served as a wonderful reminder of the impact that kind-hearted, imaginative, passionate and committed teachers can have on the world and the people around them.

James Waddell

John Brown YNWA

Anon