Delmer M. Brown

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Delmer M. Brown

Role / Field:

American academic and Japanologist known for his extensive work on Japanese history.

Born:

1909-11-20

Died:

2011-11-09

Century / Era:

1909s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Delmer Myers Brown (November 20, 1909 – November 9, 2011) was an American academic, historian, writer, translator and Japanologist. He was a professor of Japanese history at the University of California at Berkeley. Brown was born on November 20, 1909, in Harrisonville, Missouri, and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1925, he moved with his family to Santa Ana, California. He attended Santa Ana Junior College and then Stanford University, where he graduated with a degree in history in 1932.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Instead of going to law school, as originally planned, Brown took a position teaching English at a prestigious Japanese Imperial "Higher School" in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. It was there that he met and married Mary Nelson Logan in 1934. During World War II, Brown served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy. Brown earned his Ph.D. in Japanese history from Stanford in 1946. In 1987, Mary died after 53 years of marriage.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Brown was widowed twice more; by Margaret Young Brown in 2003 and Louise K. Weamer in 2010. He is survived by his companion Pauline Howland, two sisters, a son and three step-children, two granddaughters, and six great-grandchildren. Brown died on November 9, 2011, following a stroke. From 1946 to 1977, Brown was a member of the faculty of the University of California, Berkeley. He was chairman of the history department from 1957 to 1961 and 1971 to 1975.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1909 (1909-11-20): Birth of Delmer M. Brown — American academic and Japanologist known for his extensive work on Japanese history.
2. 1925: 1925 Milestone — In 1925, he moved with his family to Santa Ana, California.
3. 1932: 1932 Milestone — He attended Santa Ana Junior College and then Stanford University, where he graduated with a degree in history in 1932.
4. 1934: 1934 Milestone — It was there that he met and married Mary Nelson Logan in 1934.
5. 1946: 1946 Milestone — in Japanese history from Stanford in 1946.
6. 1957: 1957 Milestone — He was chairman of the history department from 1957 to 1961 and 1971 to 1975.
7. 1987: 1987 Milestone — In 1987, Mary died after 53 years of marriage.
8. 2003: 2003 Milestone — Brown was widowed twice more; by Margaret Young Brown in 2003 and Louise K.
9. 2011 (2011-11-09): Passing & Historical Legacy — Delmer M. Brown passed away on 2011-11-09, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Delmer M. Brown

True or False: “Delmer Brown's initial plan after graduating from Stanford was to attend law school.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Instead of law school, he took a position teaching English at a Japanese Imperial 'Higher School' in Kanazawa.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Delmer M. Brown