Brown, Thomas, 1802-1873 (Laird, poet, and author)
Biography
Probably Thomas Brown (1802-1873) Laird of Lanfine and Waterhaughs. He was the author of Borgia, a Tragedy, and other poems, and was a "man of ability and literary attainments". At one time he contemplated the preparation of the manuscripts of George Bogle, the traveller in Tibet, for publication, and consulted his uncle, Lord Jeffrey, on the subject. But he never found time to carry out his intention" (Markham, C.R. Narratives of the mission of George Bogle to Tibet (1879), p.clv). Letter of T[homas] Brown, [8 Albyn Place, Edinburgh] 17 March 1862, to Mr [?John] Muir, read to Senate: “I am very sorry that I was out, when you had the kindness to call today. I quite acquiesce in your views as to sending the Persian Mss. to the University Library of Edinburgh, and feel much indebted to you for the trouble you have taken regarding them. I have no idea that they are rare or valuable; but notwithstanding they may fill up a blank in a collection.” This letter accompanied 12 vols of Persian Mss which were presented to the Library. (/university of Edinburgh, Senate Minutes, 29 March 1862, pp.129-30, EUA IN1/GOV/SEN/MIN/1, vol. II). These are the items bearing the armorial book plate of Thomas' brother Robert Brown. Although 12 manuscripts are discussed, only 11 have been identified as pertaining to this donation.
Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:
اخلاق محسنی Akhlāq-i muḥsinī, undated copy (original text composed 15th cent. C.E.)
A complete copy of the well-known work on ethics by Kamāl al-Dīn Ḥusayn Vāʿiẓ Kāshifī, born ca. 840 A.H. (1436-37 C.E.) died. 910 A.H. (1504-5 C.E.).
In this copy, the folios have been misplaced, and in this instance the work begins in the usual manner on fol. 215.
The scribe gives the date of conclusion of the present copy as the 14th of Muḥarram in the 13th year of the reign of an unnamed monarch.
گلستان Gulistān, undated copy (original text compiled 13th Cent. C.E.)
This is a complete copy of the famous Gulistān by Persian poet Shaykh Sa‘dī Shīrāzī (d. 691 A.H., 1292 C.E.).
لب التواريخ Lubb al-tawārīkh, undated (original text compiled 16th cent. C.E.)
An abridgement of universal history, especially the history of Persia, from the earliest times to 948 A.H., 1541 C.E. It was compiled in 948 A.H., 1541 C.E., by Amīr Sayyid Yaḥyá b. ‘Abd al-Laṭīf al-Ḥusaynī al-Qazvīnī (d. 962 A.H., 1555 C.E.), and dedicated to Prince Abū al-Fatḥ Bahrām-Mirzā, a brother of Shāh-Tahmāsp Ṣafavī (d. 984 A.H., 1576 C.E.).