J. Graham Brown
James Graham Brown (Aug. 18, 1881 - Mar. 30, 1969) was born in Madison, Indiana. His
upbringing reflected the values of the pioneer outpost settlement,
established by several Scottish families at the beginning of the 19th
century.
After leaving Madison, he took a job at his father's
lumber operation in Eastern Kentucky, thus beginning his lifelong love
for and devotion to the state of Kentucky.
His hard work in timber holdings, lumberyards, and
logging operations across the South and Midwest proved financially
successful. When he passed away in 1969, he was the wealthiest man in
Kentucky.
Mr. Brown made the community his beneficiary, leaving
the bulk of his estate to the James Graham Brown Foundation, now the
largest private foundation in Kentucky.
The principal mission of the James Graham Brown
Foundation is to foster the well-being, quality of life, and image of
Louisville and of Kentucky by actively supporting and funding projects
in the fields of civic affairs, economy development, education,
health, and general welfare.
Mr. Brown's legacy, in trust, has especially encouraged
and supported private higher education in Kentucky. Through his
foundation approximately 424 grants totaling $113 million have
been awarded to higher education institutions, thereby assisting in
the education of students as leaders.