Dr Brian Stowell RBV, TH (1936–2019)

Abstract

We remember Thomas Brian Stowell first and foremost for his contribution to the revival of the Manx language, but also as a fine musician and singer, a writer, teacher, broadcaster and so much more. The brightest of minds and the most generous of spirits, he was a ‘Manninagh dooie’, a true Manxman. Born in Douglas, Isle of Man on 6 September 1936, Brian attended Murray’s Road and Douglas High School, where he excelled academically. It was at school that he first became interested in Manx, having read an article by Doug Fargher in January 1953 which talked about how the language was being abandoned and which inspired Brian to start learning. Brian recalled the strong discrimination against Manx at the time, particularly from older Manx people, who associated it with poverty and inferiority. Undeterred, he joined Fargher and others who were collecting recordings of the then few remaining native Manx speakers. His weekends were filled with long hours of the spoken language, and after about 9 months, he felt he could speak it relatively fluently. The main part of Brian’s working life was spent with physics, which he first studied at the University of Liverpool. After graduation, he worked as a school teacher, which he hated, leaving after 2 years for a post at the UK Atomic Energy Authority at Capenhurst in Cheshire. He later taught at Liverpool Polytechnic, where he gained a doctorate in applied physics and became head of department. At one time, he kept sensitive notes about his research in Manx, in the knowledge that he was the only person in the world who could understand them fully. During his time on Merseyside, he felt he never left the Isle of Man, as he kept in contact with friends, and continued speaking the language and contributing to cultural life. He spoke and taught Irish in Liverpool, again in the face of great prejudice. It was in Liverpool, too, that he met and inspired Manx students Phil Gawne and Adrian Cain, both of whom continue to play an active role in the Manx language community, mainly through their role as Manx Language Development Officer for the Manx Heritage Foundation, now Culture Vannin, on whose board Brian would later sit, and through the work of Mooinjer Veggey. Brian was someone who wore his learning lightly, whose modesty only engendered deeper respect for his skill, knowledge and talent. Described by family and friends as a strong, independent-minded person, his rebellious character was accompanied by a great sense of humour. Brian raised his two children from his first marriage to Pat, FOLK LIFE 2019, VOL. 57, NO. 1, 80–83 https://doi.org/10.1080/04308778.2019.1589024