About William Gustavus Brown
Lived 1809 – 1883 (aged 74). William Gustavus Brown was a British military leader.
General William Gustavus Brown (3 February 1809 – 27 November 1883) was Commander of British Troops in China and Hong Kong.
Family Brown was born in Kingston, Jamaica, to Janette Smellie (who was listed as a free woman of colour on his baptism) and Major Gustav Heinrich Gottlieb Braun (Brown), a German-born officer in the King's Royal Rifle Corps.
Military career Brown was commissioned into the 24th Regiment of Foot. Having served as a brigadier-general at Aldershot, he was promoted to major-general and made commander of British Troops in China and Hong Kong in 1863. During his term in command he put down a disturbance at Taitsan; allegations were made at the time about cruelty by British troops but were subsequently dismissed as groundless.
He was also colonel of the 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot.
In retirement, he lived in Sydenham in Kent.
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was William Gustavus Brown?
British General
When was William Gustavus Brown born?
William Gustavus Brown was born on 3 February 1809 in Kingston.
When did William Gustavus Brown die?
William Gustavus Brown died on 27 November 1883 in Sydenham.
What was William Gustavus Brown's occupation?
William Gustavus Brown was a military leader.
What nationality was William Gustavus Brown?
William Gustavus Brown was British.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: William Gustavus Brown
· DBpedia: William Gustavus Brown
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Gustavus Brown. https://biography.guide/william-gustavus-brown/
MLA: "William Gustavus Brown." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-gustavus-brown/.
Chicago: "William Gustavus Brown." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-gustavus-brown/.
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