Addison Brown

Who was Addison Brown?

Addison Brown was a United States federal judge.

Brown was born in West Newbury, Massachusetts, and was educated at Amherst College. He received an A.B. from Harvard University in 1852, and an LL.B. from Harvard Law School in 1854. Admitted to the bar of New York in 1855, he was in private practice of law in New York City until 1881, when he was appointed judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Brown received a recess appointment from James A. Garfield on June 2, 1881, to a seat vacated by W.G. Choate. He was formally nominated on October 12, 1881, was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 14, and received commission the same day. His judicial opinions, upward of 1800 in number, dealing largely with the law of shipping, admiralty, extradition, and bankruptcy, are included in Volumes 8 through 115 of The Federal Reporter. He retired August 30, 1901.

Judge Brown also gained a reputation as a botanist. He was one of the founders of the New York Botanical Garden and published the following works:

Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada