Solomon G. Brown

Solomon G. Brown (February 14, 1829 – June 26, 1906) was the first African-American employee of the Smithsonian Institution. He was also a poet, lecturer, and scientific technician. He joined the Smithsonian in 1852 and remained there for fifty-four years until he retired in 1906. He was also a local civic leader, organizing and leading many educational and community organizations. He served in the Washington D.C. House of Delegates from 1871 to 1874. Provided by Wikipedia