Reference Request
Finding Aids to Personal Papers and Special Collections in the Smithsonian Institution Archives
Accession 15-098
Brown, Solomon G., 1829?-1906
Solomon G. Brown Papers, 1888 and undated
Historical Note
Solomon G. Brown (1829?-1906) was the first African American employee at the Smithsonian Institution, serving for fifty-four years from 1852 to 1906. During his time at the Smithsonian, he held many titles and performed many duties in service to the Institution. He served under the first three Smithsonian Secretaries, Joseph Henry, Spencer Fullerton Baird, and Samuel P. Langley. He also served his community in Anacostia, a part of Washington, D.C,, and was a prominent advocate of African American progress.
Descriptive Entry
This accession consists of digital copies of a scrapbook of Solomon Brown's family genealogy, as compiled by Ms. Clara Ellis Bailey Payne. The scrapbook includes copies of poems written by Solomon G. Brown, photographs, lists of family trees, and copies of death certificates. The accession also includes a portrait of the Younger family, relatives of Solomon G. Brown; and a poem written by Solomon G. Brown in memoriam of his niece, Mrs. Alevia A. Smith (nee Younger), following her death on January 13, 1888.
Index Terms
This collection is indexed under the following access terms. These are links to collections with related topics, persons or places.
Name
- Brown, Solomon G., 1829?-1906
- Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878
- Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887
- Langley, S. P. (Samuel Pierpont), 1834-1906
- Payne, Clara Ellis Bailey
- Smith, Alevia A.
Subject
Physical Characteristics of Materials in the Collection
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 15-098, Solomon G. Brown Papers