My husband, Kevin Brehony, Froebel professor of early childhood studies at Roehampton University, has died of cancer aged 65. Kevin was a lifelong enthusiast for child-centred education and a historian of ideas about early childhood, including those of Friedrich Froebel. He published many academic papers, worked tirelessly for several learned societies and discussed Froebel's work in many countries, inspiring students, practitioners and academics alike.
Kevin was born in Stafford, of an Irish father, Eddie-Joseph Brehony, a factory worker, and an English mother, Ruth Slater. The family began farming in Shropshire in 1951, moving to mid-Wales in 1959. After Ludlow grammar and Lampeter bilateral school, Kevin went to Birmingham University to study geography, but left without a degree. He trained as a teacher at City of Birmingham College of Education and then taught in various West Midlands primary schools.
In 1976, he was awarded a first-class honours degree from the Open University and in 1979 began to study for a PhD on The Froebel Movement and State Schooling, 1880-1914: A Study in Educational Ideology, at the OU, supervised by Roger Dale. Kevin and I met at the OU in 1980, at a reading group run by his supervisor. From 1982 until 1984, Kevin was a lecturer at Edge Hill College, Ormskirk. We married in March 1985 and both stood as Labour candidates for Buckinghamshire county council, though Kevin was not elected. He was a supply teacher from 1985 until 1987, then joined Bulmershe College of Education, which merged with Reading University in 1989.
Kevin loved all kinds of music, but particularly Irish traditional music, especially when played in bars. He was an optimistic Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter, even when they played badly. He took up cycle touring in the 1980s with Milton Keynes Cycling Club, embarked on cycle-camping holidays in Europe and also went hill walking. Kevin was a talented cook, though his passion for chillies did not please everyone: friends loved his dinners, filled with music, wine and conversation.
Kevin remained at Reading until 2003, when he was appointed to the Froebel chair of early childhood studies at Roehampton. There he led the early-years research group, taught master's students, supervised PhDs and became the institution's ambassador for national and international activities focused on Froebel, including serving as president of the International Froebel Society.
Despite his illness, Kevin continued to work until the summer of 2013. He is survived by me and his cousin, Mary Geraghty.