Solomon G. Brown: Scientist, Lecturer, and Community Leader

Written by Rough Ashlar with research assistance from ChatGPT.

Solomon G. Brown was an African American scientist, educator, and civil servant, who dedicated his life to advancing knowledge and advocating for civil rights. Brown's career was largely associated with the Smithsonian Institution, where he made significant contributions to science and knowledge-sharing. He was also an active member of the District Grand Lodge of Masons, and a prominent figure in civic and educational programs for the African American community.

Solomon Galleon Brown was born in Washington, D.C. in 1829, the fourth of six children to Isaac and Rachel Brown. Despite his parents having been slaves, Brown was born free. Unfortunately, his father passed away in 1832, leaving the family with heavy debt and no place to call home. As a result, Brown couldn't receive a formal education and had to work to support his family. At the age of 15, he landed a job as a postmaster assistant at the Washington D.C. Post Office. It was during this time that he had the opportunity to work alongside Joseph Henry, Samuel F.B. Morse, and Alfred Vail in installing the first Morse telegraph. Brown then left the post office to work for Samuel F.B. Morse as a battery tender for seven years. After that, he worked at Gillman & Brothers manufacturing company in their chemical laboratory as an assistant packer. During this time, he also worked for the general land office and in bookbinding.

Despite the challenges Brown faced as a free black man in a slave society, he had an important friend and mentor in Lambert Tree, who not only introduced him to Morse, Henry, Vail, and others but also helped Brown obtain a certificate of freedom in 1858. This certificate declared that Brown had always been free and was sworn in front of a justice of the peace by Brown and Tree.

Brown's journey with the Smithsonian began in 1852 when he was hired as a general laborer in the foreign exchange division of the newly established institution. He had previously worked with his former boss, Joseph Henry, at the Morse Telegraph Company. Over the years, Brown worked in different departments at the Smithsonian, including the National Museum, the International Exchange Service, the Bureau of American Ethnology, and the National Zoological Park. He had a diverse set of responsibilities, including building exhibit cases, moving and cleaning furniture, assisting in preparing maps, and drawing for Smithsonian lectures. Brown worked under the first three secretaries of the Smithsonian, Joseph Henry, Spencer Fullerton Baird, and Samuel Pierpont Langley.

Brown's closest working relationship at the Smithsonian was with Spencer Baird, a renowned ornithologist. He spent a lot of time assisting Baird and was entrusted to be his "eyes and ears" at the Smithsonian in his absence. Brown took care of Baird's clerical duties, entertained visitors, opened and forwarded mail, made travel arrangements for the Baird family, and paid the wages of the workers in the Baird household.

Outside the Smithsonian, Brown was an active community leader who volunteered in civic and educational programs for the African American community. He founded the Pioneer Sabbath School in Washington, D.C., and was the superintendent of the North Washington Mission Sunday School. He also organized the Pioneer Sunday School association in the Hillsdale neighborhood, where he was superintendent from 1868 to 1888. Brown was a trustee of Wilberforce University, of the 15th Street Presbyterian church, and of the D.C. public schools. He was the commissioner of the poor in the County of Washington.

In addition to his community work, Brown was a prominent speaker and lecturer, who gave frequent lectures on scientific questions in Baltimore, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C. He was an officer in the District Grand Lodge of Masons and was involved in the National Black Leadership Committee that arranged for the unveiling of Thomas Ball's Emancipation Memorial Monument in Washington's Lincoln Park. Brown spent some time writing poetry, and his works appeared in local African American newspapers, such as "The Washington Bee."

In conclusion, Solomon G. Brown was a remarkable African American leader who made significant contributions to science, knowledge-sharing, and civil rights. He had a long and distinguished career at the Smithsonian Institution, where he worked under three secretaries and assisted Spencer Baird, a prominent ornithologist. Brown was also active in civic and educational programs for the African American community, and he was a prominent speaker, lecturer, and writer. Brown's legacy continues to inspire and motivate people to this day.