John Brookes

John Henry Brookes OBE (31 January 1891 – 29 September 1975) was an English craftsman, artist and educator associated with the predecessor institutions of Oxford Brookes University, which is named in his honour. Biography Brookes was born in Northampton, England. His father was head of the Boot and Shoe Department of Leicester College of Technology. Brookes trained in silversmithing at the Chipping Campden Guild of Handicrafts. He was an accomplished artist but became both an inspirational teacher and accomplished administrator. In 1922, he was appointed as a part-time teacher of sculpture in the Oxford City School of Arts and Crafts. In 1934, the technical and art schools were merged as the Schools of Technology Art and Commerce. John Henry Brookes was the first principal. There were ten full-time staff and 1,284 students. By 1946, the schools were in 19 sites around the city and John Henry Brookes had of necessity become an accomplished cyclist.