George Brown

The son of Adam Brown, a merchant and politician who served as a Canadian Member of Parliament from 1887 through 1891, and an English mother, Sir George Brown was schooled in both Canada and England and eventually studied at Upper Canada College in Toronto, where he became known for his prowess in cricket and rugby, Following in his father’s footsteps, he then began a career in the railroad industry. Starting as a ticketing agent, he eventually joined the Canadian Pacific Railroad (CPR) and rose through the ranks to serve as European General Manager from 1910-36. During his ascension he remained active in sport as a member of both the Hamilton Tiger Football and Leander Boat Clubs.

In World War I Brown reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, serving as Assistant Director-General of Movements and Railways, for which he was knighted by the British Government. Brown became an IOC Member in July 1928 and served until his death in June 1939 in Hamilton, Ontario, although he was not particularly active in his involvement with the IOC’s affairs. He was also vice-president of the Royal Humane Society of Canada.