Charles Brett
Encyclopedia
Sir Charles Edward Bainbridge Brett CBE
(30 October 1928 - 19 December 2005). Born in Holywood, County Down
, was a Northern Irish
solicitor, journalist, author and founding member, and first chairman, of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society
(UAHS). He was known to many simply as Charlie Brett.
, he was a partner there from 1954 until 1994. He was educated at Rugby School
and New College, Oxford
; where he was President of the Poetry Society and a friend of Dylan Thomas
and attended lectures by Lord Clark
.
In 1956, the Earl of Antrim
invited Charlie Brett to join the Northern Ireland Committee of the National Trust
, on finding there were no books written to prepare himself for this to this Sir Charles resolved to write the necessary volumes. In 1957 he became the first chairman of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, founded alongside, amongst others Lady Dunleath
. Brett served as chairman for ten years and then as President from 1979 until his death.
With the National Trust he put his legal skill to use in order to establish a public footpath along the cliffs of the North Coast of Ulster
.
He also sat on the board of the Irish Architectural Archive in Dublin.
. He served as Chairman for five years from 1979, during which time 50,000 dwellings were built. He was asked to compile a list of historic buildings in Jersey
in 1975. In 1986, Sir Charles became the first chairman of the International Fund for Ireland
, established to encourage investment in Ireland
.
Sir Charles was also involved in Northern Irish politics, being chairman of the Northern Ireland Labour Party
for a time
In 1981 he received a CBE, this was followed by a Knighthood in 1990.
Sir Charles was married and had three sons, and seven grandchildren. His church memorial is located along those of his family in the Comber Church of Ireland Parish Church of St. Mary, in Comber, North County Down
.
, County Antrim
and North County Down
.
He wrote one satirical volume under the pen name: "Albert Rechts", which was an anagram of his name.
He also wrote a volume titled Long Shadows Cast Before , incorporating family history, political commentary and autobiography.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(30 October 1928 - 19 December 2005). Born in Holywood, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, was a Northern Irish
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
solicitor, journalist, author and founding member, and first chairman, of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society
Ulster Architectural Heritage Society
Ulster Architectural Heritage Society was founded "to promote the appreciation and enjoyment of architecture from the prehistoric to the present in the nine counties of Ulster, and to encourage its preservation and conservation"...
(UAHS). He was known to many simply as Charlie Brett.
Early life and education
Sir Charles was born into a long line of solicitors, the family firm being L'Estrange and Brett, based in BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, he was a partner there from 1954 until 1994. He was educated at Rugby School
Rugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
and New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
; where he was President of the Poetry Society and a friend of Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Marlais Thomas was a Welsh poet and writer, Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 11 January 2008. who wrote exclusively in English. In addition to poetry, he wrote short stories and scripts for film and radio, which he often performed himself...
and attended lectures by Lord Clark
Kenneth Clark
Kenneth McKenzie Clark, Baron Clark, OM, CH, KCB, FBA was a British author, museum director, broadcaster, and one of the best-known art historians of his generation...
.
Career
Between 1949 and 1950 he worked in France as a journalist with the Continental Daily Mail, where he is said to have mixed in anarchist and Trotskyite circles.In 1956, the Earl of Antrim
Earl of Antrim
Earl of Antrim is a title that has been created twice, both times in the Peerage of Ireland and both times for members of the MacDonnell family, originally of Scottish origins. This family descends from Sorley Boy MacDonnell, who established the family in County Antrim...
invited Charlie Brett to join the Northern Ireland Committee of the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
, on finding there were no books written to prepare himself for this to this Sir Charles resolved to write the necessary volumes. In 1957 he became the first chairman of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, founded alongside, amongst others Lady Dunleath
Baron Dunleath
Baron Dunleath, of Ballywalter in the County of Down, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1892 for the businessman and former Conservative Member of Parliament for Downpatrick, John Mulholland. The Mulholland family were involved in the cotton and linen industry in...
. Brett served as chairman for ten years and then as President from 1979 until his death.
With the National Trust he put his legal skill to use in order to establish a public footpath along the cliffs of the North Coast of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
.
He also sat on the board of the Irish Architectural Archive in Dublin.
Later life
In 1971, he was appointed to the board of the newly-created Northern Ireland Housing ExecutiveNorthern Ireland Housing Executive
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is the public housing authority for Northern Ireland. It is the enforcing authority for those parts of housing orders that involve houses with multiple occupants, houses that are unfit, and housing conditions.- Origins :...
. He served as Chairman for five years from 1979, during which time 50,000 dwellings were built. He was asked to compile a list of historic buildings in Jersey
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
in 1975. In 1986, Sir Charles became the first chairman of the International Fund for Ireland
International Fund for Ireland
The International Fund for Ireland is an independent international organisation established in 1986 by the British and Irish governments with the objectives of promoting "economic and social advance and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between nationalists and unionists throughout...
, established to encourage investment in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Sir Charles was also involved in Northern Irish politics, being chairman of the Northern Ireland Labour Party
Northern Ireland Labour Party
The Northern Ireland Labour Party was an Irish political party which operated from 1924 until 1987.In 1913 the British Labour Party resolved to give the recently formed Irish Labour Party exclusive organising rights in Ireland...
for a time
In 1981 he received a CBE, this was followed by a Knighthood in 1990.
Sir Charles was married and had three sons, and seven grandchildren. His church memorial is located along those of his family in the Comber Church of Ireland Parish Church of St. Mary, in Comber, North County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
.
Published works
His volumes, published as C E B Brett included books on the local architecture of the buildings of County ArmaghCounty Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
and North County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
.
He wrote one satirical volume under the pen name: "Albert Rechts", which was an anagram of his name.
He also wrote a volume titled Long Shadows Cast Before , incorporating family history, political commentary and autobiography.