BROWN, Charles (1749-1795) — London
Draughtsman & engraver. Thought to be the C. Brown who drew and engraved A geographical table of N. America ca.1770 for an unidentified publication. Known almost exclusively as a gem and seal engraver.
Traded and shared a workshop with his better-documented brother, the engraver William Brown (1748-1825), for whom see ODNB. Exhibited sixteen examples of gem engraving at the Royal Academy between 1771 and 1785. The BM has two of the brothers’ trade-cards. Most of the brothers’ later work was produced to order for Catherine II of Russia. It is thought they may have visited Russia, and certainly went to France (at the invitation of the French court) in 1788. Around 200 examples of their work, intaglios and cameos, survive at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Most appear to be collaborative work, signed simply “Brown”, although others bear individual names. Charles was possibly the man of this name who married Elizabeth Vacher at St. James Clerkenwell 19 Sep 1776. He died a widower, with three sons under the age of twenty-one, and his will survives in NA — PROB 11/1261/242. His brother was made his executor and the will makes mention of a property in France, etc. He was buried at St. Mary Paddington 7 Jun 1795.
At Mr. Burgess’s in Gloucester Street, Red Lion Square — 1770-1773
35 Lamb’s Conduit Street, Foundling Hospital — 1773-1775
4 Pall Mall — 1775-1785
Strand — 1789
Parish of St. Marylebone — 1795
BM. Graves (1905). Maxted (1977). NA. ODNB.24