alfred edwin brain (born turnham green, london, 4 february 1860; died london, 25 october 1929), was an english player of the french horn. he was the founder of a great school of english horn playing. his grandson dennis brain became perhaps the most famous horn player of all time. he is known as a.e .brain sr. (senior) because one of his sons, who also was a famous horn player, had the same name.