Mike Brearley (1960)

Mike Brearley began reading Classics at St John’s. After two years and a completed Part I, he switched to Part II in Moral Sciences, partly inspired by Renford Bambrough, later President of the College.

Mike played cricket for and captained the University club, and he flirted with a professional cricket career. He also worked on a PhD in Philosophy and taught Philosophy at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne for three years, returning to cricket in 1971 to captain Middlesex. Later he played 39 Tests for England, captaining in 31.

Mike became increasingly interested in Psychoanalysis, an interest first aroused by learning Philosophy and working for the Samaritans. He became a Psychoanalyst in 1985, and since then he has worked as a Psychotherapist at the Camden Psychotherapy Unit, as a school counsellor, and privately. He has also given papers on psychoanalytic topics and on leadership and motivation.

Mike has written several books, including The Art of Captaincy, On Form, On Cricket and most recently Spirit of Cricket: Reflections on Play and Life.