Brown, Orlando, 1801-1867

Orlando Brown was born in 1801 to John and Margaretta Mason Brown. In 1833 he became the first editor of the Frankfort newspaper the Commonwealth. He was a member of the Whig party and became actively involved in state and national politics. In 1848, he was appointed to Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the Zachary Taylor administration. During his long career, he also served as the editor for the newspaper The Campaign, served as Kentuckys Secretary of State under Governor John J. Crittenden, and was appointed the Commissioner of the Board of Enrollment for the Seventh District of Kentucky. He died in 1867.

From the description of Orlando Brown papers 1789-1885. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 28369106

Lawyer, author, editor, public official.

From the description of Orlando Brown : papers, 1780-1898. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 46737642

Biographical note: Orlando Brown, a prominent Frankfort, Kentucky newspaper editor, politician, and historian, was the son of John Brown, Kentucky's first representative to Congress, and Margaretta Mason Brown. He received and A. B. degree from Princeton University in 1820 and graduated from Transylvania University's law department in 1823. After practicing law for a short time in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Brown returned to Frankfort. He lost a race for the position of reporter for the Kentucky Court of Appeals, then became editor of THE COMMONWEALTH in 1833.

Brown married his first cousin, Mary Watts Brown in 1830. He became increasingly active as a Whig partisan in state and national politics. Brown retired to private life after the death of his wife until becoming Secretary of State of Kentucky in the administration of Governor John J. Crittenden. After actively campaigning for Zachary Taylor in 1848, Brown became Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Brown married Mrs. Mary Cordelia Upshaw Price Brodhead in 1852. With the coming of the Civil War, Brown, an ardent unionist, reassumed the editorial control of THE COMMONWEALTH in 1862. He was also Commissioner of the Board of Enrollment for the Seventh District of Kentucky. He wrote on many historical topics over the years and began a history of the governors of Kentucky. His death in 1867 prevented its completion.

From the description of Papers, 1819-1866 (bulk 1849-1850). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 191917528