Brian Maidment (KES 57-63) excelled academically and in sport whilst at KES representing the school in tennis, cricket and hockey. He proceeded to the University of Bangor, where he completed a Master’s, before studying for a PhD on John Ruskin at the University of Leicester, staying on as a member of the department of Victorian Studies. Following a brief period at the University of Aberystwyth, Brian moved to Manchester Polytechnic and, at this time, wrote The Poorhouse Fugitives, a groundbreaking book on working class poetry. After a turn at Edge Hill College as Head of English, he became Professor of English at Huddersfield University where he published his book Reading Popular Print. Joining the University of Salford in 2000, he incorporated work on early 19th century print culture into his teaching, producing a range of writing, and was frequently invited to speak around the world. After attempting retirement, Brian accepted the post of Professor of Print Culture at Liverpool John Moores University, continuing to teach and working on his book Comedy, Caricature and the Social Order. He was a leading authority in many areas, from John Ruskin to comic images of dustmen and from print-making techniques to working-class poetry. He was an internationally significant writer on nineteenth-century print culture as well as on visual culture. In addition to his work, Brian was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather. In full retirement Brian continued his academic work donating many of his books and prints to academic libraries. In addition, he volunteered for local charities and took up Crown Green bowling with his wife Maxine.  He died after a battle with pancreatic cancer and will be greatly missed by his wife, his wider family and colleagues and friends.