BROWN, JAMES CONWAY (1838 - 1908), musician
Date of birth: 1838
Date of death: 1908
Parent: James Brown
Gender: Male
Occupation: musician
Area of activity: Eisteddfod; Music; Performing Arts
Author: William Llewelyn Davies
Born 27 December 1838 at Blaina, Monmouth, son of James Brown, then one of the proprietors of the Blaina iron-works, and afterwards, 1853, 1860, and 1861, mayor of Newport, Monmouth. His paternal grandfather, Richard Brown, was connected with Richard Trevithick in the construction of one of the earliest locomotives at Merthyr Tydfil; his maternal grandfather was James Conway, of Pont-rhyd-yr-ynn iron-works, Mon.
After attending the Camberwell Collegiate School and King's College, London, he went to the Ebbw Vale iron-works to learn the business of an iron-master under his uncle, Thomas Brown, managing director of those works. He, however, paid more attention to music, taking part in concerts as violinist or pianist; he also played the organ in various places of worship. After becoming an officer in the Monmouthshire Rifle Volunteers he often played in the band of the seventh battalion. In 1861 he went to the Millwall iron-works, London, where he soon formed a brass band.
He decided to abandon a business career for that of music, and in 1869 was appointed organist of Aldershot parish church. He won prizes at various eisteddfodau, for example, Carmarthen and Ruthin, for anthems, songs, and part-songs. He became organist of Hale church, near Farnham, in 1875, and of the parish church, Farnham, in 1879. Later he published a sonata in E major for violin and pianoforte for which he had been awarded the Sir Michael Costa prize at Trinity College of Music, London. In 1886 he was awarded the national eisteddfod prize for an anthem. He also conducted several choral and orchestral societies. He died 26 April 1908.
Author
- Sir William Llewelyn Davies, (1887 - 1952)
- NLW Archives: NLW MS 8044B
- Star of Gwent, 20 November 1869
- The Tonic Solfa Reporter and Magazine of Vocal Music for the People, December 1884
- Y Cerddor, 1908
Sources
- Wikipedia Article: James Conway Brown
Further Reading
- Wikidata: Q20733306
Additional Links
Published date: 1959
Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-RUU/1.0/
The Dictionary of Welsh Biography is provided by The National Library of Wales and the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies. It is free to use and does not receive grant support. A donation would help us maintain and improve the site so that we can continue to acknowledge Welsh men and women who have made notable contributions to life in Wales and beyond.
Find out more on our sponsorship page.