John Cunningham Brown
Encyclopedia
John Cunningham Brown was an Irish
-born newspaper owner and political figure in British Columbia
. He represented New Westminster City
in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
from 1890 to 1894 and from 1900 to 1901.
He was born in Fermoy
, the son of Robert Campbell Brown, and was educated at the Royal Academy in Belfast
. Brown entered Queen's College in 1861, planning to study medicine, but left the following year for Victoria, British Columbia
with a brother. He went to the Stickeen mines, returning to Victoria, and then settled in New Westminster
the following year. He entered the newspaper business and, in 1871, established the Herald, later the British Columbian. Brown sold the newspaper in 1880 after he was named postmaster for New Westminster. In 1887, he married Kate E. Clarkson. Brown was a member of the local militia and also served as chairman of the board of school trustees. He was mayor of New Westminster from 1890 to 1891. Brown was named to the provincial cabinet as Provincial Secretary in 1900; due to the regulations at that time, he was required to run again for his seat in a by-election and he lost his seat in the assembly to Thomas Gifford
in September 1901. In 1907, he was named warden for the British Columbia penitentiary, located in New Westminster. He died in New Westminster at the age of 84.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-born newspaper owner and political figure in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. He represented New Westminster City
New Westminster City
New Westminster City was a provincial electoral district in the Canadian province of British Columbia from 1871 to 1912. For other electoral districts in New Westminster, please see New Westminster .- Demographics :- Electoral history :...
in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is one of two components of the Parliament of British Columbia, the provincial parliament ....
from 1890 to 1894 and from 1900 to 1901.
He was born in Fermoy
Fermoy
Fermoy is a town in County Cork, Ireland. It is situated on the River Blackwater in the south of Ireland. Its population is some 5,800 inhabitants, environs included ....
, the son of Robert Campbell Brown, and was educated at the Royal Academy in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. Brown entered Queen's College in 1861, planning to study medicine, but left the following year for Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
with a brother. He went to the Stickeen mines, returning to Victoria, and then settled in New Westminster
New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster is an historically important city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, and is a member municipality of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. It was founded as the capital of the Colony of British Columbia ....
the following year. He entered the newspaper business and, in 1871, established the Herald, later the British Columbian. Brown sold the newspaper in 1880 after he was named postmaster for New Westminster. In 1887, he married Kate E. Clarkson. Brown was a member of the local militia and also served as chairman of the board of school trustees. He was mayor of New Westminster from 1890 to 1891. Brown was named to the provincial cabinet as Provincial Secretary in 1900; due to the regulations at that time, he was required to run again for his seat in a by-election and he lost his seat in the assembly to Thomas Gifford
Thomas Gifford (politician)
Thomas Gifford was a politician in British Columbia, Canada.Born in Lockerbie, Scotland, the son of William Gifford and Margaret Stewart, he was educated there and apprenticed as a jeweller. He opened his own store in Lockerbie around 1876. In 1877, he married Annie Stoddart. Thomas and his wife,...
in September 1901. In 1907, he was named warden for the British Columbia penitentiary, located in New Westminster. He died in New Westminster at the age of 84.