Material Type

Photograph

Date Range

1955

Description Level

Item

Physical Description

Digital copy photograph TIFF format

Physical Condition

Excellent

History Biographical

George Brown was born on 10 November 1889 in Old Cumnock, Scotland. Between 1907 and 1912 Mr. Brown emigrated to Canada, eventually settling in Calgary, Alberta. He worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway as a carpenter, and in his spare time taught himself to play to violin. About 1915, George Brown married Katherine (Katie) Smart, who had come to Calgary from Scotland with her family in 1912. Her father James Smart was an accomplished musician, and the entire family was involved with music. George and his wife found work providing the musical accompaniment to silent movies. The family moved to Lethbridge from Calgary in the early 1920s and again found work in the silent movie theatres. George Brown played the violin and his wife Katherine the piano and organ. In 1933 they returned to Calgary, where George and Katherine taught music, and the family played in the Brown Trio; George on the violin, Katherine on the piano and organ, and their son George on the cello. Their other son Jimmy was also a musician, playing the violin. About 1934 the family was hired by Alfred W. Shackleford and returned to Lethbridge to play in his movie theatres. In 1934 or 1935 George and Katherine Brown founded their own business, Brown’s Musical Supplies. The business continued at various locations in downtown Lethbridge until the early 1960s. George and his wife were also part of the Brown Ensemble which played at events in Lethbridge for many years. The other members of the group were Harold McIlvena and Gordon Henderson. George Brown died on 9 November 1956 and is buried in Mountain View Cemtery, Lethbridge.

Scope and Content

Head and shoulders portrait of George Brown.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20061075002

Collection

Archive

Less detail