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Posted to Ohio Biographies Project by:
Linda Isenbarg
06 Ocotber 2000

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File contributed to Ohio Biographies Project by
Data Entry Volunteer:
Brenda Blackburn

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"Historical Collections of Ohio in Two Volumes,"
published in 1888,
by C.J. Krehbiel & Co., Printers and Binders

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JOHN PORTER BROWN

John Porter Brown was born in Chillicothe, August 17, 1814. He served several years as a midshipman in the navy. In 1832 he accompanied his uncle David Porter to Constantinople, the latter having been appointed first American minister to the Porte. Brown gave much study to oriental languages and literature. Nine times he represented the United States as charge d' affaires.While acting in this capacity, Martin Koszta, the Hungarian patriot, who had declared to the American Consul his intention to become an American citizen, was seized by the Austrian authorities and held on one of their frigates. Koszta appealed to the American legation, upon which Mr. Brown sent to Capt. Ingraham of the U.S. corvette "Dale" the laconic message, "Take him." Capt. Ingraham gave the Austrians three hours in which to deliver Koszta, and in the meanwhile prepared his vessel for action. Within half an hour of the expiration of the stipulated time the prisoner was delivered to the French consul and by him to the Americans. A service of plate in recognition of his conduct was presented to Mr. Brown by American admirers. Mr. Brown died at Constantinople April 28, 1872. He had a wide reputation as an oriental scholar, wrote "Dervishes, or Oriental Spirtualism," and translated other valuable works.

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