Joseph Brown (astronomer)

Joseph Brown (born December 3, 1733 in Providence , Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations , † December 3, 1785 ibid) was an American astronomer and professor at Brown University .

Life

Joseph Brown was born in Providence , Rhode Island, as one of the four surviving sons (also known as the Four Brothers ) of the merchant James Brown II (1698–1739) and his wife Hope Power Brown. His brothers, all Rhode Island merchants, were Nicholas Brown Sr. , John Brown (co-founder of Rhode Island College ), and Moses Brown . He also had a sister, Mary. Joseph Brown initially worked like his father in business and industry, which earned him enough money to devote himself to science. In his studies he mainly dealt with mechanics and astronomy . He paid particular attention to the preparations for observing the transit of Venus in 1769 , for which he had suitable instruments sent from England. Finally, a report on the observations made in Providence by Benjamin West was published. Brown was on friendly terms with Rhode Island College , now Brown University , and was a board member there from 1769 to 1785. In 1770 he received the honorary degree AM ( Master of Arts ) from the college . He also held an honorary chair in natural philosophy at the college from 1784 until his death .

In 1781 Brown was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences . He was also a member of the First Baptist Church in America .

Joseph Brown died in Providence on December 3, 1785.

literature

• Joseph Brown , in: Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Joseph Brown . In: Book of Members, 1780–2010: Chapter B , American Academy of Arts and Sciences, p. 72 (English; PDF). Retrieved September 17, 2016.