| Photographer | Joseph Milman Brown | |
| Active Period | 1875 - 1921 | |
| Lifespan | Born: c1846 Newport, IOW | Died: 1923 IOW |
| Studio Addresses | Mayfield House, Shanklin High Street, Shanklin North Road, Shanklin (son) |
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| Associates | Milman Harvey Brown, son | |
| Trade History | 1875 Kelly's PO Directory of IOW Joseph Milman Brown, photographer, High Street, Shanklin 1881 Census 1891 Census index 1898 Kelly's Directory of IOW (pages 310 & 551) 1899 Kelly's Directory of Hampshire & IOW (page 653) 1906 Kelly's Directory IOW (Photographers index page 662) 1910 Kelly's Directory of IOW 1921-22 Kelly's Directory of IOW (page 729) 1921-22 Kelly's Directory of IOW (page 729) |
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| Awards | 1891 - Exhibited works at Vienna (see press cutting below) | |
| Photographic Evidence Found |
before 1881 - estimated date of photo (Mayfield House) - see below | |
| Examples of Photographs, Trade Cards, Adverts, etc |
 Example of Brown's photo back before 1881 My thanks to Jane Merry (Uxbridge) for supplying this photo back.
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| Family History | Joseph Milman Brown was born c1846 in Newport. In the 1881
census he is recorded as being a photographer living at 3 Shaftesbury Buildings, Shanklin
along with his wife, Amelia (Nee Dunn, 32) from Gloucester, and three children of school age, Ellen
(10), Milman H[arvey] (7) and Flora (6) - all being born in Shanklin. The family was still
living in Shanklin at the time of the 1891 census, though full details have yet to be
researched. Joseph Milman Brown died in September 1923 and was buried at Shanklin Cemetery alongside his wife who had pre-deceased him by 3 years. His son, Milman Harvey, died in April 1952 and was also buried at Shankin Cemetery. |
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| Further Notes | "A FREE CONCERT - was given at the Oddfellows' Hall on
Wednesday in conjunction with the Ventnor Starr-Bowkett Building Society, the novelty
attracting a full house. Signor D'Anna's string band were the principal performers, and
acquitted themselves as only talented musicians can. Several songs were tastefully sung by
Miss Cooper and Miss Geddes. A short address, explaining the aims and principles of the
society, was given by Mr J Milman Brown, of Shanklin, after which an appropriation was
held, the successful member being Mr Rogers, Pitt Farm, Wroxall, who thus becomes entitled
to £200 free of interest for 12½ years." - IW County Press, 30 March 1889 "Mr J MILMAN BROWN - is one of the British photographers whose
works are included in the 4000 exhibits from all parts of the Continent now being shown at
Vienna." "Mr J M BROWN'S PRIZE PHOTOGRAPH - Last week we recorded Mr John Milman Brown's
success at the Falmouth Photographic Exhibition. Since then we have seen a print from the
prize-winning negative, which is in every way worthy of the honour it has attained. It
represents a sheep-fold with Hungerbury Wood and Shanklin Down in the background, the
chief merit of the composition being its wonderfully realistic atmospheric effect. Mr
brown's album of Island views, as seen with the eyes of a photographic artist, is a
revelation to ordinary lovers of the beauties of nature by which we are surrounded." "Mr. J. MILMAN BROWN. - In an appreciative notice
of the photographic work of this gentleman, a writer in the Hand, Camera
and Lantern Review speaks of his works as "in many respects worthy of
being ranked with those of some of our most renowned exponents of the
art-science." We gather from the article that Mr. Brown first obtained
recognition of his work in 1876 at Falmouth for "The wishing gate" and
"Falling leaves," for which success was
followed by a first prize medal, in 1877, from the same town, for "The
valley of Bonchurch." His latest award was the grand diploma of honour at
the Vienna International Exhibition. He has been 27 years in the profession.
A photographer's life is evidently not always a happy one. To secure one of
his pictures he had to take his weighty impedimenta a considerable distance
on five different days before he could secure the
desired effect, each journey costing him a guinea for carriage hire." "RECHABITES - J M Brown was a member of the Independent Order of Rechabites and at the
anniversary celebrations of the Order's Wroxall Tent on 13 Feb 1895 he delivered what was
reported as a "stirring address." "BRADING - Mr J. Milman Brown presented a silver teapot and silver spoons to Miss
Whitney, late Head Mistress of the Infants School, he also presented Miss Whitney with one
of his prize winning photographs." "GEOLOGY - A second lantern lecture and exhibition of photographs
illustrating the geological structure of the Isle of Wight was given by Mr J Milman Brown,
CC, at the Literary Institution [Ventnor] on Friday evening, in aid of the Literary new
book fund. The Rector of Bonchurch (the Rev W E Rowlands) presided, and the able treatment
of the subject proved most interesting." "SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT - A capital entertainment in connection with the Mall Board
school [Brading] was given in the new Town Hall on Wednesday evening before a crowded
audience. ... In the absence of Mr T A Wright (the chairman of the Board) through the
illness of his wife, Mr J Milman Brown, CC, presented the prizes..." "MR MILMAN H BROWN - son of Mr J M Brown, leaves Shanklin on Tuesday for
Liverpool, from which port he sails on the following day for New York. Mr Brown intends
commencing business as a photographer in Atlantic City. His many friends will wish him
success in his new venture" My thanks to Ann & Les Barrett for supplying the above press cuttings. |
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