Author: Brown, James Pennycook
Biography:
BROWN, James Pennycook (1806-73: ancestry.co.uk)
He was born at Bervie, Kincardineshire, to David Brown and his wife Mary Pennycook. His father was a farmer, an auctioneer, and finally, in reduced circumstances, a gardener. Brown worked as a compositor in Elgin and later for the Aberdeen Journal; he also contributed poems to local newspapers and magazines. From his Poetical Ephemeras his “Death of Chatterton” was particularly admired. He emigrated to Canada but soon returned to Scotland and moved to London where in 1848 and 1851 he was recorded as living at 49 Noel Street, Islington. Initially he worked as the agent for the Presbyterian church but the 1851 Census lists his occupation as secretary of a mining association. This was the National Brazilian Mining Association which was founded in 1828 to explore Brazilian gold. He travelled to Brazil and died at the Serra de Cocais mine in Minas Gerais on 11 February. His estate was valued at under £100 and was inherited by his nieces. He is said to have written other books but they have not been traced. His death notice identified him as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. (ancestry.co.uk 26 Feb. 2021; findmypast.co.uk 26 Feb. 2021; Post Office Directory 1848; Aberdeen Press and Journal, 11 January 1832; London Daily News, 15 September 1855; North British Daily Mail, 4 April 1873; BBA; Marshall C. Eakin, A British Enterprise in Brazil [2013]) SR