John Cunningham Brown

Who was John Cunningham Brown?

John Cunningham Brown was an Irish-born newspaper owner and political figure in British Columbia. He represented New Westminster City in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1890 to 1894 and from 1900 to 1901.

He was born in Fermoy, the son of Robert Campbell Brown, and was educated at the Royal Academy in Belfast. Brown entered Queen's College in 1861, planning to study medicine, but left the following year for Victoria, British Columbia with a brother. He went to the Stickeen mines, returning to Victoria, and then settled in New Westminster the following year. He entered the newspaper business and, in 1871, established the Herald, later the British Columbian. Brown sold the newspaper in 1880 after he was named postmaster for New Westminster. In 1887, he married Kate E. Clarkson. Brown was a member of the local militia and also served as chairman of the board of school trustees. He was mayor of New Westminster from 1890 to 1891.