Joseph E. Brown

Biography

Joseph E. Brown led Georgia through some of its most turbulent decades, first as governor during the years leading up to the Civil War and through the conflict itself. He balanced the state's desire for independence with concerns for its citizens, building infrastructure and financial institutions that could weather the crisis.

Afterward he continued to serve Georgia in the U.S. Senate and on the state supreme court, working to restore prosperity while upholding the rule of law. His tomb at Oakland Cemetery reflects the depth of gratitude Georgians bear for his decades of public service.