George Douglas Brown (1869–1902)

Writer

George Douglas Brown was educated at Glasgow and Oxford before moving to London in 1895 to follow a career as a writer. His most famous work is 'The House with the Green Shutters'. He died in London aged 33 after contracting pneumonia.

Birth in 1869

George Douglas Brown was born on 26 January 1869, the son of George D Brown, farmer and Sarah Gemmell, dairy maid. The entry in the statutory register of births for Ochiltree in the county of Ayr records his birth as illegitimate.

Birth entry for George Douglas Brown (37 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1869/609/8

1871 to 1891 Censuses

In 1871 George D Brown, aged 2, former domestic servant's son was staying in the household of his mother's uncle in Ochiltree. The household schedule  shows that her family were from Ireland.

1871 Census record for George Douglas Brown (31 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1871/609/6, page 2

In 1881, George Brown, 12, scholar was living in Coylton with his mother and two servants

1881 Census record for George Douglas Brown (15 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1881/583/4, page 10

In 1891 George Brown, 22, student in arts (MA) was lodging in the district of Partick.

1891 Census record for George Douglas Brown (9 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1891/646-3/31, page 22