John Ross Browne facts for kids
John Ross Browne (born February 11, 1821, in Beggars Bush, Dublin, Ireland – died December 9, 1875, in Oakland, California), often called J. Ross Browne, was an amazing traveler, artist, writer, and even a government agent! He explored many parts of the world and wrote exciting books about his adventures. Later, in the 1970s, a chain of seafood restaurants was named after him, called J Ross Browne's Whaling Station.
A Life of Adventure and Writing
John Ross Browne was one of seven children. His father, Thomas Egerton Browne, was an Irish newspaper editor. He was a strong supporter of Irish independence and got into trouble with the British government. Because of this, his family had to leave Ireland.
In 1833, when John was about 12, his family moved to the United States. They settled in Louisville, Kentucky. There, his father became a schoolteacher and later owned a newspaper.
John briefly studied at a medical school in Louisville. This experience even inspired his first book, Confessions of a Quack (1841). In 1842, after working on a riverboat for a few years, he joined a whaling ship. This exciting journey led him to write Etchings of a Whaling Cruise (1846). This book made him known as an artist and writer, and it might have inspired the famous writer Herman Melville. In 1844, John married Lucy Anne Mitchell, and they had nine children together.
In 1849, during the California Gold Rush, John Ross Browne moved to California. He took on many important jobs for the government. He worked for the Treasury Department, checked customs houses, and investigated Native American affairs. He also reported on the state's important meetings to create its constitution. He shared some of these experiences in his book From Crusoe's Island (1864).
Later, he traveled to Europe and the Middle East. He wrote about his impressions in a magazine, and then in a book called Yusef (1853). In 1861, John and his family moved to Germany. This led to another book, An American Family in Germany (1866). His side trips during this time were described in The Land of Thor (1866).
In 1863, he returned to the American West. He wrote vivid descriptions of places like Arizona and Sonora in his book Adventures in the Apache Country (1869). In 1868, he was even appointed as the Minister to China, which means he represented the U.S. in China. However, he was called back home in 1870.
John Ross Browne passed away on December 9, 1875, in Oakland, California. His unique writing style influenced many famous authors, including Mark Twain and Bret Harte.
Published Works
John Ross Browne wrote many books and articles about his travels and experiences. Here are a few examples:
- 1841 – Confessions of a Quack
- 1850 – Etchings of a Whaling Cruise
- 1853 – Yusef: or, The Journey of the Frangi; A crusade in the East
- 1866 – An American Family in Germany
- 1867 – The Land of Thor
- 1869 – Adventures in the Apache Country
See also
- Mowry Massacres
- 1860 Wiyot Massacre
Images for kids
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Report of the Debates in the Convention of California (1850)
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Two men mincing whale blubber from Etchings of a Whaling Cruise (1846)
