Thomas Brown (politician) - Definition and Overview

Thomas Brown (October 27, 1785 – August 24, 1867) was an American politician who served as the second governor Florida.

Thomas Brown was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He served in the War of 1812, and subsequently became chief clerk of the post office in Richmond, Virginia. While in that position, he invented the post office letter box. In 1828, he moved with his family to Florida. He became auditor of the territory in 1834, president of the legislative council in 1838, a member of the constitutional convention in 1839, and a member of the first House of Representatives under statehood in 1845. Elected governor, he assumed office on October 1, 1849. As governor, he tried to improve Florida’s transportation system and agriculture and made an effort to determine whether the Everglades should be drained. He left office on October 3, 1853. He was an active Mason for more than sixty years, serving a long term as secretary in the Tallahassee lodge and compiling a book on Masonry. Governor Brown died in Tallahassee on August 24, 1867. He is buried at the Old City Cemetery in Tallahassee.