James Graham Brown
Encyclopedia
James Graham Brown was an American
businessman and real estate developer best known as the builder of the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky
and for his philanthropy. Born in Madison, Indiana
, he moved to Louisville in 1903 and founded, with his brother and father, the W.P. Brown and Sons Lumber Company. Brown also began developing commercial buildings, concentrated around Downtown Louisville
, including the Brown Hotel, Brown Theater, Brown Garage, Martin Brown Building, Kentucky Towers and the Commonwealth Building
.
for 32 years.
Brown was an opponent of organized labor, once threatening to sell his hotels to the highest bidder if employees organized.
. He donated a similar amount to build a student center at his Alma mater, Hanover College
. He also donated heavily to the University of Louisville
and to various other schools and hospitals. He was also a lifelong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America
. According to a 1978 biography by Dorothy Park Clark, many of these donations were anonymous. He lived in a small suite at his hotel for much of his life.
At the time of his death, Brown had no heirs and his estate was estimated to be worth $100 million, making him the wealthiest man in Kentucky at the time. The bulk of the estate was given to a charitable foundation that bore his name. The foundation, which he had created in 1943, has donated to local and state causes over the years, and remains active . The foundation claims $385,000,000 in donations through 2,600 grants so far. Projects the foundation has made key donations to include Louisville Waterfront Park
and the University of Louisville's James Graham Brown Cancer Center. An early donation allowed the Kentucky Derby Museum
to be created.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and real estate developer best known as the builder of the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
and for his philanthropy. Born in Madison, Indiana
Madison, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,004 people, 5,092 households, and 3,085 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,402.9 people per square mile . There were 5,597 housing units at an average density of 654.1 per square mile...
, he moved to Louisville in 1903 and founded, with his brother and father, the W.P. Brown and Sons Lumber Company. Brown also began developing commercial buildings, concentrated around Downtown Louisville
Downtown Louisville
Downtown Louisville is the largest central business district in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the urban hub of the Louisville, Kentucky Metropolitan Area. Its boundaries are the Ohio River to the north, Hancock Street to the east, York and Jacob Streets to the south, and 9th Street to the west...
, including the Brown Hotel, Brown Theater, Brown Garage, Martin Brown Building, Kentucky Towers and the Commonwealth Building
Commonwealth Building (Louisville)
The Commonwealth Building was a 21-story, building in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky located on the northwestern corner of Fourth Street and Broadway....
.
Later career
Brown was still involved with downtown hotel development in the 1960s, as well as suburban developments like the Brown Suburban Hotel, and a 97 acres (392,545.4 m²) development on the site of his east end farm which eventually became Baptist Hospital East and the surrounding business and retail center called Breckenridge Square. He served on the board of directors of Churchill DownsChurchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
for 32 years.
Brown was an opponent of organized labor, once threatening to sell his hotels to the highest bidder if employees organized.
Philanthropic work
Later in his life he became active in philanthropy, pledging $1.5 million in 1962 to fund the establishment of the Louisville ZooLouisville Zoo
Founded in 1969, the Louisville Zoo, or the Louisville Zoological Garden, is a zoo in Louisville, Kentucky, situated in the city's Poplar Level neighborhood...
. He donated a similar amount to build a student center at his Alma mater, Hanover College
Hanover College
Hanover College is a private liberal arts college, located in Hanover, Indiana, near the banks of the Ohio River. The college is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church . The college was founded in 1827 by the Rev. John Finley Crowe, making it the oldest private college in Indiana. The Hanover...
. He also donated heavily to the University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
and to various other schools and hospitals. He was also a lifelong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
. According to a 1978 biography by Dorothy Park Clark, many of these donations were anonymous. He lived in a small suite at his hotel for much of his life.
At the time of his death, Brown had no heirs and his estate was estimated to be worth $100 million, making him the wealthiest man in Kentucky at the time. The bulk of the estate was given to a charitable foundation that bore his name. The foundation, which he had created in 1943, has donated to local and state causes over the years, and remains active . The foundation claims $385,000,000 in donations through 2,600 grants so far. Projects the foundation has made key donations to include Louisville Waterfront Park
Louisville Waterfront Park
Louisville Waterfront Park is a municipal park adjacent to the downtown area of Louisville, Kentucky and the Ohio River. Specifically, it is adjacent to Louisville's wharf and Riverfront Plaza/Belvedere, which are situated to the west of the park....
and the University of Louisville's James Graham Brown Cancer Center. An early donation allowed the Kentucky Derby Museum
Kentucky Derby Museum
The Kentucky Derby Museum is an American Thoroughbred horse racing museum located on the grounds of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Dedicated to preserving the history of the Kentucky Derby, it first opened its doors to the public in the spring of 1985...
to be created.
Death and burial
Brown died of congestive heart failure and was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery.External links
- James Graham Brown Foundation Official website