Brian Downs

Brian Westerdale Downs (4 July 1893 – 3 March 1984) was an English literary scholar and linguist. He served as Master of Christ's College, Cambridge, from 1950 to 1963 and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1955 to 1957. From 1950 to 1960, he was the Professor of Scandinavian Studies at Cambridge.

Early life Downs was born on 4 July 1893 in Kingston upon Hull. He was educated at Abbotsholme School, then an all-boys private boarding school in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. The following year, in 1919, he was elected a Fellow of the college. The same year, the Chair of Scandinavian Studies was established and he was elected to the position becoming a professor.

Personal life On 1 July 1924, Downs married Elsie Ada Maud Drew (1887–1965). She was a fellow of Girton College, Cambridge, where she tutored in English literature. Together they had a son, Jonathan Downs, in 1930. Mother and son moved to the United States of America during World War II but, at the age of nine, Jonathan was hit and killed by a truck while outside his home in Northampton, Massachusetts. Their marriage subsequently broke down and they divorced. On 14 September 1946, Downs married for a second time to Evelyn Faith Marion Wrangham (née Doubble) (1907–1977). She was a widow who had worked as his secretary before their marriage.

Honours Downs was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree by the University of Hull. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the Polar Star (KNO) by Sweden in 1954 and Officer of the Legion of Honour by France.