Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Brown, John Wright
BROWN, JOHN WRIGHT (1836–1863), botanist, was born in Edinburgh on 19 Jan. 1836. He was of a delicate constitution, and early showed a great love for plants, in consequence of which he was, at the age of sixteen, placed in one of the Edinburgh nurseries. But the exposure connected with garden work proved too much for his health, and Professor Balfour appointed him to an assistantship in the herbarium connected with the Botanic Garden. Here he improved his opportunities and became well acquainted with botany; he was much interested in the Scottish flora, and contributed a list of the plants of Elie, Fifeshire, to the Edinburgh Botanical Society, of which he was an associate. He died in Edinburgh on 23 March 1863.
[Trans. Bot. Soc. Edinburgh, vii. 519.]