Nicholas Brown Sr.
Nicholas Brown Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 26, 1729 |
| Died | May 29, 1791 (aged 61) Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant Slave trader Philanthropist |
| Children | Nicholas Brown II |
| Relatives | Chad Brown, ancestor John Brown, brother Moses Brown, brother Joseph Brown, brother John Brown Francis, grandson |
Nicholas Brown Sr. (July 26, 1729 – May 29, 1791) was an American merchant, civic leader and slave trader who was a co-signer of the founding charter of the College of Rhode Island in 1763. In 1771, Brown was instrumental in convincing Baptist authorities to locate a permanent home for the college in his hometown of Providence. In 1804, the college was renamed Brown University following a gift made by Brown's son Nicholas Brown Jr.