voc ep: 42 Torrey Brown

Torrey C. Brown
(Courtesy Wikipedia)

Dr. Torrey C. Brown (February 28, 1937 – April 20, 2014) was an American politician who served in the Maryland House of Delegates (1971-1983) and was the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Brown received his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. in 1961. After completing his residency in internal medicine, Brown joined the Hopkins faculty. He was promoted to assistant dean of the School of Medicine and later rose to become the vice president of Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was a member of the Environmental Matters Committee and became its chairman in 1979. As Secretary, Brown proved to be a formidable advocate for saving Maryland's natural resources. In 1984 Brown issued a moratorium that saved the dwindling Maryland rockfish population. He championed Program Open Space, which preserved thousand of acres of Maryland land and wildlife. Maryland hatched more bald eagles in the next 20 years (about 1,800) than existed 20 years ago in the whole lower 48 states. Brown also spearheaded Ocean City beach replenishment working with local property owners. Brown served as chairman of the Power Plant Research Advisory Committee and a vocal member of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. (Bio excerpts Wikipedia. Interview was recorded by Michael Buckley for Voices in 2007. Thanks to Claudia Donegan.)