Black People in European Sculpture Project

84 (27/01/2022)

James Brown, reformer, journalist and founder of the Isle of Man Times (1815-1881)

James Brown (1815–1881), Founder of the 'Isle of Man Times' and Campaigner for Government Reform

A marble bust of James Brown, reformer, journalist and founder of the Isle of Man Times. He is depicted with a copy of the Isle of Man Times in his upper left jacket pocket and a floral sprig in his buttonhole.

Bust – Portrait

Base present - appears to be the original base

Height (without base): 86 cm

Width (without base) 64 cm

Depth (without base): 64 cm

Marble – white

Carving

Monochrome – white

Identifiable: specific individual

Main protagonist

Male

Adult

Free citizen

Wearing clothes – European/Western clothing

None

None

Not relevant (head)

Neutral/emotionless

Looking sideways

Urban: European

Nineteenth century (1800-1899)

1882

Recorded in related documentation

Commemorative

Unknown

1958-0233

March 1958: donated to Manx National Heritage by the Brown family, who gave their address as The Isle of Man Times Newspaper Offices in Douglas. It is possible the sculpture had been on display in that building prior to donation

James Brown (1815-1881) was born in Liverpool on 2 August 1815. The son of a freed slave, in 1846 he came to the Isle of Man from Liverpool where he had worked as a printing compositor.
He founded the Isle of Man Times in 1861 and from its second issue waged a campaign against the Island's Government to introduce reforms such as a popularly elected House of Keys. This campaign ultimately resulted in his imprisonment in Castle Rushen on 16 March 1864 for six months 'to purge his contempt', following his refusal to the House for his activities. Brown was released on 7 May 1864 and awarded £500 damages against the Keys for wrongful imprisonment.
His campaign in the Isle of Man is seen as having been highly instrumental in bringing about Government reform.
Joseph William Swynnerton was a highly accomplished and much sought after Manx sculptor, who went on to study and live in Italy. On trips back to the Island he carved busts of many local dignitaries, a number of which are in Manx National Heritage’s collections.

It is believed that this sculpture was commissioned after James Brown's death in 1881, possibly by the Isle of Man Times staff or Brown’s family who were connected to the newspaper.