Brian Hartley began his algebraic career as one of Philip Hall's research students in Cambridge. He obtained his Ph.D. in 1964, spent two post-doctoral years in the USA and, on his return to the United Kingdom, accepted a lectureship in the newly established Mathematics Department at Warwick University; there he was promoted to a readership in 1973. He was appointed to a chair of pure mathematics at the University of Manchester in 1977 and was Head of the Mathematics Department there from 1982–4. He was elected to the London Mathematical Society in 1968 and served on Council from 1987–9. He won an EPSRC Senior Research Fellowship, but died on 8 October 1994, a few days after taking it up. He travelled widely and took a lively interest in other cultures and languages. His intellectual energy, enthusiasm for algebra, direct manner and dry sense of humour endeared him to the many mathematical friends he made around the world. He was devoted to mathematics and gave generously of his time and energy in support of younger colleagues.