George Brown was born on October 11, 1823 and was descended from Thomas and Bridget Brown who settled in Concord, Massachussets, in 1638. He was the son of Ephraim Brown, a man of unusual mechanical gifts, and of Sarah (King) Brown, and was born at Wilton, New Hampshire.
After attending Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachussets, and the University of Vermont, George Brown began the study of medicine with Dr. Norman Smith of Groton, Massachussets, matriculated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and took his medical degree in 1850 from the University of the City of New York.
In this year he went to Barre, Massachussets, to practise there and immediately became interested in the Elm Hill School, a small private institution for feeble-minded children, the first of its kind in America, established two years before by Dr. Hervey B. Wilbur.
In the summer of 1851, Dr. Wilbur left to take charge of the New York State Institute for Feeble-minded at Albany, and Brown decided to take over the superintendency of the Elm Hill School and make it his life-work. He threw himself into the problem with a scientific skill which was completely modern, and a spirit as fine as any his profession has ever produced. The institution consisted at this time of an ordinary house with space for fifteen children. These ranged in age from five to thirteen years. The types varied from simply retarded mental development to the purely idiotic.
At this early period there were twenty acres of land for playgrounds, walks and gardens. Various simple games were taught, one hour before school was devoted to gymnasium work, the older boys were instructed in the management of horses and cattle, the smaller ones in the care of poultry, rabbits, and squirrels. They used tools and learned ordinary trades.
Under Brown's supervision the institution grew to have several buildings, and an estate of 250 acres of land, and became the largest private institution of its kind in the United States.
George Brown was an active participant in the development of Barre. He was one of the founders of the library association, and twice a member of the school board. A founder also of the Glen Valley Association, he was its president until his death. For years he was a leading member of and liberal contributor to the Congregational Church.
For years George Brown was a leading member of and liberal contributor to the Congregational Church.
Originally a Whig, he joined the Republican party when it was formed.
Quotes from others about the person
Its purpose, as expressed in an early report, was, "to solve the great problem, whether the idiot could be developed to take rank in the scale of our common humanity, and be fitted not only for useful employments but for general observation, comparison, and judgment. "
On November 28, 1850, George Brown married Catherine Wood who also became a devoted worker in this school. After his death his son, Dr. George A. Brown, succeeded to the superintendency of the Elm Hill School.
1828–1852
1831–1901
1821–1824
1817–1818
1827–1907
1797–1891
1825–182
1820–1900
1790–1840
