| 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]