stone plaque · Edinburgh

Dr John Brown

Photograph at the Dr John Brown stone plaque
Photograph via Wikipedia (Thomas Brown (philosopher), CC BY-SA).

This stone plaque commemorates Dr. John Brown, a notable author, who resided in the house at 23 Rutland Street in Edinburgh. His time in this residence spanned a significant period from 1850 until 1882. The plaque specifically highlights his authorship of the well-known work, "Rab and his Friends", which secured his place in literary circles. This memorial serves to acknowledge Brown's local connection to Edinburgh and his contribution to literature, providing a tangible link between the historic building and its former distinguished inhabitant for future generations.

Memorial plaques such as this one are part of a long-standing tradition in the United Kingdom, often commemorating individuals who have made significant contributions to arts, sciences, or public life. This tradition ensures that the historical figures associated with particular locations are not forgotten. These markers help to connect the present-day urban landscape with the rich tapestry of past inhabitants and events. The focus on Dr. John Brown's literary achievement reflects an appreciation for cultural contributions within civic remembrance.

The plaque is situated on the exterior of a building at 23 Rutland Street, EH1 2AE, in Edinburgh. Visitors approaching the address will find the stone plaque affixed to the property, visible from the street. Rutland Street is a centrally located thoroughfare, easily accessible within the city. Those wishing to visit can view the plaque respectfully from the public pavement, observing the memorial in its architectural setting.

Inscription

Dr. John Brown Author of "Rab and his Friends" lived in this house from 1850 to 1882
Transcribed from the stone plaque at 23 Rutland Street.

Background

Thomas Brown (9 January 1778 – 2 April 1820) was a Scottish physician, philosopher, and poet.

Source: Open Plaques. Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.

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Data sources

Location records are drawn from open, licence-clean datasets, kept here with attribution and gratitude to the people who maintain them.

  • Open Plaques, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). See openplaques.org.
  • Wikidata, available under the CC0 1.0 Universal dedication.
  • © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.
  • Historic England, National Heritage List for England, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. War memorial records are drawn from open community datasets (OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, NHLE) - never from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is excluded.

Editorial descriptions, photography and tribute links are original TributeLegacy work, layered on top of the open data.

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