Joseph Joe Brown (1930-)
Me old mucker
Diminutive bandy-legged Joe Brown is rightly revered among climbers for the legacy of routes he has bequeathed – in the 1950s and early ’60s he really was The Daddy. His influence over the sport was given an even wider currency by his frequent appearances in early television outside broadcast spectaculars. His example and fame helped to change climbing from a minority activity, practised mostly by the well-to-do, into the mass participation sport we know today. However, even without this media exposure, Brown is arguably the British climber of the 20th century; his skill and vision opening the doors to the modern concept of the sport of rock climbing, while his mountaineering achievements were world-class.

There's a new DVD out now called Upsidedown Wales featuring an inerview with Joe Brown - for details click here