Thom Braun
At Monoux: 1965 - 1972
When Thom Braun was at Monoux, his favourite subjects were English and History. ‘People said I should pick subjects that would get me a job other than teaching!’ says Thom. ‘Luckily, however, I had a great supporter in Ian Shaw (‘Gilbert’). It’s mostly thanks to him that I got into Oxford to read English.’
At Oxford, Thom was taught by Professor John Carey (book reviewer, The Times/Sunday Times for over 50 years and BBC 2’s Review Show). He followed with a PhD at University College London. ‘My first PhD was on Benjamin Disraeli as a novelist – a clear fusion of English and History,’ says Thom.
What followed these early academic leanings was a career spent largely in marketing and advertising, although books continued to play a major part. ‘My first book was published in 1981 – and various others followed over the next thirty years. It was only when I retired, however, that I finally fulfilled an ambition I’d first had at Monoux – to be a full-time writer.’
2023 saw the publication of Hungerford Stairs, Thom’s first historical novel (about the young Charles Dickens), and in November 2024, the launch of a second; Mr Hogarth’s Morning, a murder mystery set around 18th century Covent Garden. ‘Both books combine English and History in what I hope are new and interesting ways,’ says Thom. ‘I’d like to think Gilbert would have approved!’
For more information and links to the books, see Thom’s website: