The second lecture in University College Isle of Man’s History & Heritage Lecture Series takes place on Wednesday 16th November, when Dr Robert Fyson will be speaking about the nineteenth-century reformer and journalist James Brown, founder of the Isle of Man Times.

The historian A. W. Moore wrote in 1901 that “The reform of the House of Keys is now usually associated with the name of James Brown of the Isle of Man Times newspaper. He was not a Manxman.” In fact Brown, a mixed-race Liverpudlian by origin, was the grandson of an American slave.

He was imprisoned in Castle Rushen in 1864 for attacking the House of Keys in his newspaper. This lecture will explore his career as a radical reformer, and assess his role in helping to bring about fundamental political change in the Isle of Man.
 
To date, relatively little has been written about this influential figure in Manx history. Dr Fyson will give a new account of Brown, exploring both his public and his private life, his antecedents, his imprisonment in Castle Rushen, and his progress from radical journalist to successful self-made businessman.

This lecture is based on the relevant chapters of Dr Fyson’s new book, The Struggle for Manx Democracy, published by Culture Vannin, which will be on sale both before and after the lecture.

“In Search of James Brown (1815-1881)”, will take place in the Lecture Theatre at Elmwood House (behind the St John Ambulance Centre, off Glencrutchery Road) at 6pm on Wednesday 16th November. All are welcome, and no booking is required.

Further details about the History & Heritage lecture series, together with videos of last year’s lectures, can be found online at http://catrionamackie.net/lectures/.

Photo - James Brown. Courtesy of Manx National Heritage (PG0586).