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Solomon G. Brown Hired as First African American Worker at the Smithsonian, 1852

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Smithsonian Institution

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Chronology of Smithsonian History"Solomon Brown: First African American Employee at the Smithsonian Institution." Smithsonian Institution Archives. http://siarchives.si.edu/history/exhibits/stories/solomon-brown-first-african-american-employee-smithsonian-institution.In 1852, Solomon G. Brown was hired as the Smithsonian Institution's first African American employee. Brown worked for 54 years at the Smithsonian, fulfilling many duties under secretaries Joseph Henry, Spencer Fullerton Baird, and Samuel P Langley. Brown formed a very close bond with Baird, becoming his "eyes and ears" when Baird was out of town. He was also a naturalist, poet, illustrator, and lecturer. Although he had no formal education, Brown was known by many as Professor Brown.Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

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Smithsonian Archives - History Div

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Smithsonian Institution

Keywords

  1. African Americans
  2. Baird, Spencer Fullerton
  3. Brown, Solomon Galleon
  4. Employees
  5. Henry, Joseph
  6. Naturalists
  7. Personnel Management
  8. Poetry
  9. Public Speaking
  10. Scientific Illustrators
  11. Smithsonian Institution

Related Content

Letter from Solomon Brown to Spencer Baird, 09/22/1856 Letter from Solomon G. Brown to S. F. Baird, August 6, 1864 Petition to Board of Regents, 11/13/1869 Letter from Solomon G. Brown to S. F. Baird, August 15, 1866 Letter from Solomon G. Brown to S. F. Baird, August 12, 1862 Letter from Solomon G. Brown to S. F. Baird September 4, 1862 Letter from Solomon G. Brown to S. F. Baird, July 15, 1864 Letter from Solomon G. Brown to S. F. Baird, September 23, 1864 "Fifty Years To-day" Poem, 4 pages Solomon Brown Tribute with D. Evans, G. Lowe, C.E. Payne, D.B. Payne & C. Samper Letter from Secretary Samuel P. Langley to Solomon Brown, 11/25/1892 Portrait of Solomon G. Brown Solomon G. Brown International Exchange Service, c. 1905 "Smithsonian Honors a Black Pioneer" News Clipping Staff, International Exchange Service, 1891 Staff, International Exchange Service, 1891 STRI Staff with Peccaries Louis Purnell Named Curator at National Air and Space Museum 1980 Doris M. Cochran Working with Collections
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