Geoffrey Brown

Please describe yourself and your areas of interest.

My retirement in 2024 brought to an end a lengthy career as a town planner in local government and as a planning advisor to a Government Agency. In spite of the fact that planning has so often fallen short of its progressive and utopian ideals embodied in the garden city movement, I remain committed to its value as a positive force for change, balancing social, economic, and environmental needs, in a world where short-term, profit-driven imperatives can so often override what is of real importance and lasting value. Before embarking on a career in town planning, I lived and worked in Brazil as an English language teacher, which resulted in a lifelong interest in the country, its history, and culture, particularly the many styles of its beautiful music.

Why did you become a Companion of the Guild?

Although I have been aware of Ruskin for many years, I did not appreciate the breadth of his interests until 2019, the bicentenary of his birth. I was inspired to learn more about him by the many events I attended in that year, particularly the brilliant exhibition “The Power of Seeing” at 2, Temple Place, London. I am pleased I took the step to apply to become a Companion, which has meant that I have been able to learn so much more about Ruskin and engage in the Guild’s activities.