John Brown: Queen Victoria's Highland Servant

by Raymond Lamont-Brown

A century after Queen Victoria's death, debate still rages surrounding her relationship with her gillie, John Brown. Were they ever married? What was the extraordinary hold he had over her? This biography aims to shed new light on these questions and to discover the truth behind Brown's hold on his royal employer. Following the death of Prince Albert in 1861, the Queen found solace in the companionship of John Brown, who had commenced his royal employment as a stable hand. He became "The Queen's Highland Servant" in 1865 and rose to be the most influential member of the Scottish Royal Household. While the Queen could be brusque and petulant with her servants, family and minsters, she submitted to Brown's fussy organisation of her domestic life, his bullying and familiarity without a murmur. Despite warnings of his unpopularity with her subjects by one Prime Minister, the Queen was adamant that Brown would not be sacked. The Queen's confidence was rewarded when Brown saved her from an assassination attempt, after which he was vaunted as a public hero. The author reveals the names of republicans and disaffected courtiers who related gossip about Queen Victoria and John Brown and their purported marriage and child, and identifies those who plotted to have Brown dismissed. Based on research in public,. private and royal archives, as well as diaries and memoirs of those who knew Brown and interviews with his surviving relatives, this text analyses the relationship between Queen Victorian and Brown.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Victorian

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decided to read this book after viewing the movie: "Mrs Brown."

Loved the movie and I am glad that I read the book. I believe it is possible to have female/male friendships that are life long that do not need to include a sexual side.

Enjoy!

[Linda K · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Brown and Queen Victoria shared a close and unusual friendship. Mr. Brown was a Scotsman who was a part of the lives of the Royal Family from early on in The Queen and Prince Alberts'marriage. At the death of the Prince and Victoria's pronounced grief, Mr Brown was able to assist her in dealing with it and subsequently became a close friend. Due to his rather coarse and gruff personality, most in the family did not like him and there was much controversey at the latitude given him by the Queen. This book reveals the nature of their relationship and addresses some of the issues of impropriity that were proposed during her reign and even after her death.

[Dagmar1927 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather liked this look at the mysterious John Brown's relations with Queen Victoria. Though it tended to dwell a little too much on spiritualism, I still enjoyed it and have reread it many a time since.

[Sue Burden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the history and relationship between Brown and Queen Victoria. I do feel the research for the book could have gone a little further, but easy to say when you are not having to do said research! A good introduction to Queen Victoria, especially if intrigue was kicked off by the Dame Judy Dench and Sir Billy Connolly film.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, about Queen Victoria's beloved John Brown, didn't produce anything I didn't already know about the Queen and her Highland servant. The narrative at times got a little boring, though, the book does give a good portrait of Brown to someone unfamiliar with the story.

[Noel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an easy read but educational

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of boring if you're not looking for a Scotland travelogue.