My former colleague and friend Brian Ingram, who has died aged 83, was for many years principal lecturer in media and cultural studies at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent.
Born in Northampton, Brian was the son of Bernard Ingram, a painter and decorator, and his wife, Elsie (nee Dowdy), a housewife. From Northampton school for boys he went to King’s College London to take a degree (1956-1959), and in 1961 was ordained. Thereafter he taught at secondary schools in Hampshire and Kent before joining Christ Church College Canterbury (as it then was) in 1973 as a lecturer in education.
He was promoted to be a senior lecturer in education in 1983, and in 1995 moved over to be a senior lecturer in applied social sciences. After two years in that post he was made principal lecturer in media and cultural studies and remained in that job until his retirement in 2001, although he continued to work part-time on campus until 2009. Those who knew him in later years spoke of him being woven into the fabric of the institution.
Over the years Brian became an authority on the life and work of John Ruskin, and in recognition of his work in that area he was accorded the title of honorary research fellow at the University of Lancaster in 2009. He was also at one time editor of the Ruskin Review and Bulletin.
An avid reader and viewer of films, he was a supporter of the Labour party and his attachment to newspapers was never more apparent than in his favoured daily reading of the Guardian.
He loved Canterbury and was especially passionate about its cathedral, where he would attend services as often as possible. His enthusiasm for cycling led him to ride to Rome in 1984 with a team of cathedral-going friends called the Runcie Runners who were met by Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.
Brian was a fan of Northampton rugby club – where his brother Bunny was for many years the secretary – Northampton Town football club and Northamptonshire cricket club.
After retirement he moved with his wife, Jo (nee Dodswell), whom he married in 2009, to Kingsthorpe in Northamptonshire. A daughter, Anna, predeceased him. He is survived by Jo, their children Tom, Catherine, Francesca and Abigail, his siblings Bunny and Eileen, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
