Nationality American Uncles Moses Brown, John Brown | Parents Nicholas Brown, Sr. Name Nicholas Jr. | |
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Born April 4, 1769 Providence, Rhode Island, United States Resting place North Burial Ground
Providence, Rhode Island Residence Providence, Rhode Island Alma mater Brown University (1786) Occupation Legislator
Philanthropist Died September 27, 1841, Providence, Rhode Island, United States Children John Carter Brown, Nicholas Brown III Similar People Nicholas Brown - Sr, John Nicholas Brown II, John Brown, Moses Brown | ||
Grandchildren John Nicholas Brown I | ||
Nicholas Brown Jr. (April 4, 1769 – September 27, 1841) was a Providence, Rhode Island businessman, and philanthropist who was the namesake of Brown University.
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Early life
Nicholas Brown Jr. was the son of Rhoda Jenckes (1741–1783) and Nicholas Brown Sr. (1729–1791), a merchant and co-founder of Brown University (which was then called College of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations). He was the nephew of John Brown (1736–1803) and Moses Brown (1738–1836) and a descendant of the English colonist and Baptist minister Chad Brown (c. 1600-1650) who co-founded Providence, Rhode Island. His maternal grandfather was Daniel Jeckes (1701–1774), a judge from a prominent family.
Career
Both Nicholas Brown Jr. and his father were members of and large donors to the First Baptist Church in America. Nicholas Brown Jr. graduated from the College of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in 1786. Brown created the company of Brown & Ives and served in the state legislature as a Federalist.
After inheriting his father's estate in 1791, Brown became such a great benefactor to the school that it was renamed Brown University for him in 1804 when he donated $5,000 to the college. His total gifts to the college totaled over $150,000. Brown also co-founded the Providence Athenaeum and was active in various Baptist and literary causes. He was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1813.
Personal life
He was married to Ann Carter (1770–1798), daughter of John Carter (1745–1814), a prominent printer in Providence. Together, they had:
After his death September 27, 1841, Brown was interred in North Burial Ground in Providence. When Brown died in 1841 he left a $30,000 bequest to form a mental hospital, which eventually became known as Butler Hospital.