James Brown (1815-1881)
Reformer, journalist and founder of the Isle of Man Times
Diary of newspaper editor James Brown whilst imprisoned in Castle Rushen gaol, Castletown by James Brown Manx National Heritage
Descendant of slavery
Born in Liverpool on 2 August 1815, James Brown was almost certainly descended from a former slave, possibly his grandfather Cato Brown.
Isle of Man Times, 1870 by unknown Manx National Heritage
Founder of the Isle of Man Times
Having worked as a compositor for various newspapers in Liverpool, James moved with his wife (who was Manx) and son to the Island in 1846 where he founded the Isle of Man Times newspaper in 1861. He remained proprietor until 1877.
Douglas from Douglas Head by T.S. Keig Manx National Heritage
Reform rejected
In February 1864 the self-elected House of Keys rejected the Douglas Town Amendment Bill. This Bill would have granted additional powers to the Douglas Commissioners.
Diary of newspaper editor James Brown whilst imprisoned in Castle Rushen gaol by James Brown Manx National Heritage
Brown's press campaign for reform
From its second issue in February 1864 James waged a campaign in the press against the House of Keys unwillingness to introduce reform. The articles it were said contained 'Certain libellous and scandalous paragraphs', including calling the Keys ‘self-elected imbeciles’.
Found 'guilty' by the House of Keys
On 16 March 1864 Brown was summoned to appear before the House of Keys charged with 'contempt of this House and a breach of its privileges.' He was found guilty, with no jury present, and committed the same day to the Gaol of Castle Rushen (opposite the Keys) to serve 6 months.
Diary of newspaper editor James Brown whilst imprisoned in Castle Rushen gaol, Castletown by James Brown Manx National Heritage
Time spent in gaol
Journalism aside, the diary manuscript gives a valuable first-hand, personal account of his imprisonment, which, as we discover, was not to last the full six months.
Diary of newspaper editor James Brown whilst imprisoned in Castle Rushen gaol, Castletown by James Brown Manx National Heritage
Diary of a political prisoner
James kept a prison diary from his first to his last day spent in Castle Rushen Gaol, perhaps with a journalist's sensibility on the story he would later print in his newspaper. The actual diary is available to consult in Manx National Heritage Library and Archives.
James Brown, Castle Rushen Gaol Manx National Heritage
Wrongful imprisonment
Brown served just six weeks in Castle Rushen Gaol. The Queen's Bench ordered his release on 7 May 1864 and awarded £500 damages against the Keys for wrongful imprisonment.
Close of the poll at the election of members to represent Douglas in the New House of Keys' showing the scene on Athol Street, Douglas, 3 April 1867 by Marshall Wane Manx National Heritage
The coming of democracy
Brown was an active and enthusiastic participant in the democratic election ferment of 1867 when the very first
public election took place in the Isle of Man on 3 April
. The House of Keys was no longer a self-elected body, a change James Brown had undoubtedly helped bring about.
James Brown, reformer, journalist and founder of the Isle of Man Times (1815-1881) (19th century) by Joseph William Swynnerton Manx National Heritage
From slave descendant to Manx worthy
James Brown died in 1881. A.W. Moore said of him soon after in his work Manx Worthies , 'reform of the House of Keys...is now usually associated with the name of James Brown.' The 1882 marble bust of him by Swynnerton is on display in the Manx Museum, reminder of a remarkable man.
Diary of newspaper editor James Brown whilst imprisoned in Castle Rushen gaol, Castletown by James Brown Manx National Heritage
Discover the 'Diary of a Political Prisoner'
The actual diary
is available to consult in Manx National Heritage Library and Archives.
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