George Brown
Scottish trade unionist and politician, active in South Africa
About George Brown
Lived 1870 – 1932 (aged 61–62).
George Brown (1870 – August 1932) was a Scottish trade unionist and politician, active in South Africa.
Born in Glasgow to a mining family, Brown completed an apprenticeship as a boilermaker and in 1890 joined the United Society of Boilermakers (USB). In 1897, he emigrated to South Africa, settling in the Transvaal. While he maintained his membership of the local branch of the USB, he became concerned that it was not attracting membership from workers who had served their apprenticeship in South Africa. As a result, in 1916, he founded the South African Boilermakers' Society (SABS).
Brown was elected as the first president of SABS, and spent his time touring the country, giving speeches, to attract members. He joined the Labour Party, and at the South African general election, 1924 won a seat in Germiston. At this point, he was made honorary life president of SABS.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped George Brown's
Frequently asked questions
Who was George Brown?
Scottish trade unionist and politician, active in South Africa (1870–1932)
When was George Brown born?
George Brown was born in 1870.
When did George Brown die?
George Brown died in 1932.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: George Brown (South African politician)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). George Brown. https://biography.guide/george-brown-1870/
MLA: "George Brown." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/george-brown-1870/.
Chicago: "George Brown." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/george-brown-1870/.
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