Joseph Stanley-Brown Explained

Joseph Stanley-Brown
Office:Private Secretary to the President
President:James Garfield
Term Start:March 4, 1881
Term End:September 19, 1881
Predecessor:Webb Hayes
Successor:Fred J. Phillips
Birth Date:February 3, 1858
Birth Place:Washington, D.C., U.S.
Death Date:May 17, 1941 (aged 83)
Death Place:Pasadena, California, U.S,
Occupation:Geologist, Secretary to the President of the United States
Spouse:Mary Garfield
Restingplace:James A. Garfield Memorial
Known For:Serving as secretary to James Garfield, helping with the USGS

Joseph Stanley-Brown (February 3rd, 1858 - May 17th, 1941) served as private secretary to the twentieth President of the United States, James A. Garfield. He would completely devote himself to Garfield, as seen when Garfield asked "What can I do for you?" at their first meeting, prompting Brown to respond, "It's not what you can do for me, but what I can do for you, sir." Brown would serve as Garfield's secretary during his brief presidency, controlling the office-seekers that ran rampant due to the spoils system, which Garfield's vice president Chester Arthur would eventually reform.[1] He married President Garfield's daughter Mary "Mollie" Garfield in 1888.[2] [3]

Brown was born in Washington, D.C. and attended Washington, D.C. public schools where he learned shorthand and typing. He went to the Sheffield Scientific School at Yale University and studied geology. Brown served as a stenographer for John Wesley Powell. the founder of the United States Geological Survey. Brown was also involved in the banking and railroad businesses. He died in Pasadena, California.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: My Friend Garfield. American Heritage. 1971 . 2017-06-06 .
  2. Book: Feldman. Ruth Tenzer. James Garfield. 2005. Twenty-First Century Books. 103. 9780822513988.
  3. Web site: Daughters of our Presidents. The Ladies' Home Journal. June 23, 2017. December 1896.
  4. https://www.nps.gov/people/joseph-stanley-brown.htm National Park Service-Joseph Stanley-Brown