L.A. Perine on Spoutible

Each Feb, I like to amplify the stories of AfAm ancestors. One of my favorites: Solomon Brown, a self-taught naturalist who was the first African American employee at the Smithsonian Institution and instrumental in implemetation of the first electric telegraph. 1/

Photgraph of Solomon Brown, self-taught naturalist and first Black employee of the Smithsonian.

01:59 AM - Feb 21, 2023 (Edited)

L.A. Perine

@ProfPerine

In response to L.A. Perine.

Solomon Brown was a poet, lecturer, and scientific technician. Brown was born in Washington, DC around 1829, the son of emancipated Black parents. His father died in 1832, leaving the family destitute. As a result, Brown was not able to get a formal education. 2/

02:00 AM - Feb 21, 2023

L.A. Perine

@ProfPerine

At the age of 15, he went to work for the DC Post Office. He was assigned to assist Joseph Henry and Samuel F.B. Morse on the installation of the first Morse telegraph line in the nation. Brown helped set up the telegraph line between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. 3/

In response to L.A. Perine.

02:01 AM - Feb 21, 2023

L.A. Perine

@ProfPerine

In response to L.A. Perine.

Brown continued to work for Samuel F.B. Morse for the next seven years. Brown was hired by the first Secretary of the Smithsonian as a general laborer in 1852. By 1864, he was a museum assistant, and subsequently became the registrar in charge of transportation, ...4/

02:03 AM - Feb 21, 2023

L.A. Perine

@ProfPerine

In response to L.A. Perine.

..registry and storage of animal specimens and materials received by the institution (1869). He also assisted in preparing maps and drawings for virtually all Smithsonian lectures between 1870 and 1887. Brown worked under the first three secretaries of the institution. 5/

02:03 AM - Feb 21, 2023

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