Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/458

BROUGHAM.⁠BROWN.

refugeed in Dublin. After a preparatory course at the Trim academy he entered Trinity college, Dublin, where he acquired considerable knowl- edge, to use his own words, "more by absorp- tion than by application." One of his chief amusements while at college was to attend the theatre, where he sixw such actors as Kean, Garrick, and the elder Booth. He also took inferior parts in amateur theatricals, and was invariably seized with stage-fright. After leav- ing college he was uncertain what profession to choose. Chance led him to the theatre where Madam Vestris was playing, and at the age of twenty he made his debut at the Totten- ham theatre in London, where she was engaged, in the play "Tom and Jerry." He later became a member of Madam Vestris's stock company at the Olympic theatre, and also played in her company at Covent Garden. Meanwhile he wrote several plays of more or less merit, and assisted in the preparation of " London Assur- ance '* (1841), the sole authorship of which is usually credited to and claimed by Dion Bouci- cault. After leaving Covent Garden he was for a time manager of the lyceum, and wrote " Life in the Clouds,'* "Enthusiasm," " Love's Livery, " "Tom Thumb the Second," and, in connection with IMark Lemon, "The Demon Gift." In October, 1842, he came to America, playing first in the Park theatre, Ne^ York, in an Irish comedy, with poor financial results. He was more successful in a starring tour through the country, and on his return to New York was engaged in Burton's theatre as stage manager, at a salary of fifty dollars per week. About this time he wrote several plays, some original and some dramatizations: " Bun.sby's Wedding," "The Confidence Man," "Don Caesar de Bas- soon." "Vanity Fair," "The Irish Yankee," "Benjamin Franklin," "All's Fair in Love," " Iri.sh Emigrant," and " Dombey and Son," the last named of which was decidedly successful; subsequently managed Niblo's Garden; opened Brougliam's lyceum in 1850, which failed, and for a time managed the Bowery theatre. He resided in Eurc»pe. 1860-65; opened Brougham's theatre in New York in 1869. which had a very short ex- istence. and on Oct. 25 1879, made his last appear- ance as Felix O'Reilley in Rescued at Booth's theatre, New York. lie wrote about one liun- dred plays, many of which were exceedingly pop- ular, among them being "Columbus"; "Poca- hontas "; " The Lily of France " and " The Eme- rald Ring." He was a member of the Lotus club, and served as its pre.sident; edited " Lotus Leaves " with John Elderkin and wrote two books: " A Basket of Chips" and " The Bunsby Papers." "An Autobiography" was edited by William Winter. He died in New York city, June 7. 1880.

BROUN, William LeRoy, educator, was born in Loudon county, Va., Oct. 1, 1827. He was graduated at the University of Virginia A.B., 1847, .\.M., 1850; was professor of physics and chemistry at Oakland college, 18.52-.54; of matiie- matics at the University of Georgia, 1854-.59. and of natural philo.sophy there, 1860-75. He was president of the Georgia Agricultural and Me- chanical college, 1872-75; professor of mathe- matics at Vanderbiit university, 1875-82; at the University of Texas, 1883-84, and president of Alabama Polytechnic institute, 1884-1902. He received the degree LL.D. from St. John's college, 1874, and from the University of Georgia, 1892. He died at Auburn. Ala.. Jan. 23, 1902.

BROUSSARD, Robert F., representative, was born near New Iberia, La., Aug. 17, 1864. Heat- tended the University of Georgetown three years; served as inspector of customs at the port of New Orleans, 1885-'9, and was graduated at Tulane university, LL.B., 1889. He engaged in the practice of law at New Iberia; served as district attorney of the 19th judicial district, 1892-'6, and was elected a Democratic representative in con- gress. 1S97-1905.

BROWN, Aaron Venable, statesman, was born in Brunswick county, Va., Aug. 15, 1795. He was graduated at the University of North Caro- lina in 1814; removed to Nashville, Tenn., 1815: practiced law, and was at one time a partner of James K. Polk. He was a member of the Ten- nessee legislature; a representative in the 26th. 27th and 28th congresses, and governor of Ten- nessee. 1845-7. He was U.S. postmaster-general, 1857-59. He died in Washington, D.C., March 8, 1850.

BROWN, Addison, jurist, was born at West Newbury. Mass. . Feb. 21 , 1830. He was graduated at Harvard as A.B. in 1852 and as LL.B. from the law school in 1854. In 1855 he was admitted to the bar in Brook h'n, N. Y., and was engaged in active practice in the city of New York from 1855 until 1881, when he was appointed by President Garfield district judge for the southern district ol New York, and in October following was re-appointed In President Arthur, which appointment

was confirmed by the senate. Though occa- .sionally sitting in the U. S. circuit court and court of appeal, his work was chiefly in the U. S.