John Russell Brown was a distinguished Shakespearean scholar who was also involved in practical theatre – he was a close associate of the director Peter Hall at the National Theatre for 15 years from 1973. Earlier, his academic career started at the Shakespeare Institute, where he was a fellow (1951-55), followed by 10 years as an English lecturer at Birmingham University, becoming professor and head of drama and theatre arts at Birmingham from 1964 to 1971. Ever active, ever busy, he was professor of English at Sussex University (1971-82) during his time with Hall. Afterwards he concentrated on his writing and was professor of theatre at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1985-97). - The Guardian, UK.