American author, born in Providence, RI, on the 6th of February 1820; died in East Hartford, CT, on the 31st of October 1872. He studied law, but applied himself to teaching in Hartford. During the early part of the Civil War he versified Farragut’s general orders to his fleet in the attack on New Orleans. The bright little poem came to Farragut’s notice, and the poet and commander met each other. Through the influence of the latter, Brownell’s desire to witness a naval battle was granted, for he was appointed acting ensign on the flagship Hartford. He was present at the battle of Mobile Bay. The River Fight and The Bay Fight were his best poems, and both obtained praise from Oliver Wendell Holmes. Brownell published a volume of poems and a few other works.
