Kenneth Douglas Brown, b. 1943, was a lecturer in economic and social history, Queen's University, Belfast, Norther Ireland. Brown retired in 2009 after forty years at Queen's University, Belfast, where he was Professor of Economic and Social History and Pro-Vice Chancellor. He is now Professor Emeritus at QUB. He has a special interest in the British toy industry and is author of 'The British Toy Business' and 'Factory of Dreams: A History of Meccano'.