John Ednie Brown

John Ednie Brown (1848 – 26 October 1899) J.P., F.L.S., commonly referred to as Ednie or J. Ednie Brown, was an author on sylviculture and state conservator of forests.

Biography The author's contemporary entry in George E. Loyau's Notable South Australians relates his biographical details:

He arrived in South Australia sometime around 1880. He was appointed Conservator of Forests in South Australia in 1878 and served for ten years, then accepted a similar position in New South Wales. He came to Western Australia in 1894.

He was commissioned in 1895 to produce a report on forest resources for the state government of Western Australia, undertaking research that included journeying over five thousand kilometres in a year, and leading to the formation of the Department of Woods and Forests, of which he was appointed to head as the first conservator. During his tenure he encouraged the introduction of softwood plantations and sandalwood, and is credited with a fivefold increase in the export value of the state's hardwood resources. His reporting was regarded as careful and considered, despite his prodigious output. A reprint in 1899 of his extensive 1896 report is amongst his published works.

He had three sons with his wife, Bertha Amelia, the daughter of James Doughty Willshire of South Australia. John Ednie Brown died at Cottesloe, Western Australia of complications arising from influenza and was buried at North Fremantle.