Brown family (Argentina)

The Brown family is an Argentine family of Scottish descent known for producing a number of high-profile footballers during the 1920s in Argentina.

Brown
Current regionBuenos Aires, Argentina
Place of origin Argentina
MembersJorge, Alfredo, Carlos, Eliseo, Ernesto, Juan Domingo

Arrival in Argentina

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On 22 May 1825, James Brown, Sr., a farm labourer, and his wife Mary (née Hope) left Leith, Scotland to start a new life in Argentina.[1] On arriving in Argentina, the Browns settled in the short-lived British settlement of Monte Grande before moving to Buenos Aires after the failure of the settlement.[2][3]

Footballing dynasty

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Four members of the Brown family played in the Alumni 1909 championship-winning team: Carlos Carr (back row, second from left), Diego (back row, second from right), Tomás (middle row, second from left), and Ernesto (middle row, fourth from left)

James Brown Jr., the youngest son of James and Mary, fathered nine sons, seven of whom became footballers for Alumni Athletic Club. Five of those seven would also play internationally for Argentina.[4] The eldest son to play football was Diego Hope (b. 1875). The next oldest, Jorge Gibson (b. 1880, nicknamed el Patricarcho) was the most accomplished member of the family. He would play in ten Argentine championships and representi Argentina 23 times.[4] Jorge was treasurer of Alumni at the point it was disbanded.[5] Jorge played in Argentina's first international in a match against Uruguay in Montevideo.[6][7] The next oldest, Carlos Carr Brown (b. 1882), was the first to make an impact on Argentine football. Carlos learned his football in Britain before returning to Argentina and representing the national team twice.[2][4] Tomás (b. 1884) turned out for Alumni but was not capped internationally.[4] Ernesto Alejandro (b. 1885; nicknamed el Pacifico for his peaceful nature) once scored six goals in a match for Alumni.[5][8] The two youngest, Alfredo (b. 1886) and Eliseo (b. 1888), also played international football.

A cousin of the brothers, Juan Domingo, also played for Argentina during the same era. Between 1906 and 1916 Juan played 36 times for the national team.[9][10]

In 1910 when Argentina played Uruguay in the Copa Centenario Revolución de Mayo, three Browns played for Argentina: Jorge, Juan Domingo and Ernesto.[10]

Family tree

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Jorge Gibson Brown
James Brown, Sr.Mary Hope
James Brown, Jr.Unknown
Diego Hope BrownJorge Gibson BrownCarlos Carr BrownTomás BrownErnesto Alejandro BrownAlfredo BrownEliseo BrownUnknownUnknownJuan Domingo Brown

References

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  1. ^ Morrison, Arnold. "Scots Colonists". Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  2. ^ a b O’Brien, Ged. "The Scotch Professors". Scotzine. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  3. ^ Croser, Grame (27 June 2003). "Scotsman who took the beautiful game to Argentina". Evening News. Retrieved 16 December 2009. [dead link]
  4. ^ a b c d Brennan, Dan (15 November 2008). "Argentine football returns to roots of its Scottish founder". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 12 October 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  5. ^ a b Barnade, Oscar (24 April 2003). "Alumni: en el nombre del fútbol" (in Spanish). Clarín.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  6. ^ Barnade, Oscar (20 July 2002). "Un siglo de Selección" (in Spanish). Clarín.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2002. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  7. ^ "ARGENTINA NATIONAL TEAM ARCHIVE". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  8. ^ "Highest individual scoring per match". IFFHS. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  9. ^ "Appearances for Argentina National Team". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 13 January 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  10. ^ a b "The dynasty of Argentina's Brown brothers". IFFHS. Retrieved 16 December 2009.