John Brown (1810-1882). Edinburgh physician, author and art critic, was described by Ruskin in Praeterita as his' best friend, because he was of my father's race and native town; truest because he knew always how to help us both, and never made any mistakes in doing so' ( Works, 35.458). When Brown reviewed Modern Painters I and II sympathetically in the North British Review, February 1847, he was, however, unknown to the Ruskin family. Ruskin thanked Brown for this enthusiastic review in a letter dated 27 June 1846, signing himself 'The Author of Modern Painters' (See Works, 36.60-62). They met for the first time in 1853 at Wallington, the Northumberland home of their mutual friend, Pauline Trevelyan ( Works, 36.lxxxix).