Mortimer John Brown was born in Fenton, Staffordshire. He was the son of Lewis Benjamin Brown, a brewer’s and potter’s agent. Mortimer began studying at Hanley School of Art c.1889-90 and then attended the National Art Training School (Royal College of Art) x.1891-6. From about 1896 or 1897 he was a student at the Royal Academy Schools for five years where he won several prizes (including the Landseer Scholarship and British Institution Scholarship fund in 1898). After completing his studies by travelling in Italy and Greece, he worked as an assistant to William Hamo Thornycroft (c.1911). Exhibited at the Royal Academy. A bronze caste The Shepherd Boy was purchased by the Trustees of the Chantrey Bequest in 1912 and is in the collection of the Tate Gallery, London.