James Howard Brown was a thoracic surgeon in Adelaide, South Australia. He was born on 8 November 1922 in Adelaide, the son of Thomas Howard Brown and Elsie Davey Brown née James. He was educated at the Christian Brothers College and Rostrevor College and went on to study medicine at the University of Adelaide. In September 1941 he enlisted as a private in the Australian Military Forces. After the Second World War, he went to the UK, where he trained in thoracic surgery in London, Oxford and Sheffield and gained his FRCS in 1950. While he was in Sheffield, he met Shelagh Hannath. They married at Claro, Yorkshire, in 1951. In 1953 Brown returned to Adelaide with his new wife. He was a thoracic surgeon at the Royal Adelaide, Children’s, the Queen Elizabeth and Calvary hospitals and taught students at the University of Adelaide. Also in 1953 he set up one of the first medical journal clubs. He worked in New Guinea several times as a visiting surgeon and is remembered there for his pioneering work in tuberculosis. Outside medicine he enjoyed playing golf and dancing. He was an excellent raconteur and speaker. For a time he grew grapes for wine with several friends. He had a passion for sports cars and was always interested in trying new things. James Howard Brown died on 19 April 2007. His son, Christopher, is an orthopaedic surgeon.