John Brent

John Brent (1808–1882) was an English antiquary and novelist.

Brent was born in Rotherhithe, London on 21 August 1808, and was the eldest son of a father of the same name, a shipbuilder there, who about the year 1821 removed to Canterbury, and became thrice mayor of the city and deputy-lieutenant of the county. His mother was Susannah, third daughter of the Rev. Sampson Kingsford of Sturry, near Canterbury.

In his early days Brent carried on the business of a miller, occupied for many years a seat on the council of the Canterbury corporation, and was elected an alderman, but resigned that position on being appointed city treasurer.

During the course of a long life, Brent was indefatigable in his attempts to throw light on the history of the city and county in which he dwelt. He became a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in April 1853, and was also a member of the British Archaeological Association and of the Kent Archaeological Society.

After the failure of the November Uprising (Polish–Russian War 1830–31), Brent became the local secretary of the Polish Association. He died at his house on the Dane John, Canterbury, 23 April 1882.