The unfortunate endeavours of Charles Henry Brown : aeronaut, 1827-1870

This is the biography of a pioneer aeronaut, Charles Henry Brown, whose life-long obsession with aerostation took him from his native Great Britain to Australia and India. The story of his quest for recognition is deeply researched, while being told in an anti-generic mode – imagined dialogue, play scripts and speculative interventions. To date Brown’s story has not been told in any great detail, and in the few instances where his achievements have been noted the records are marred by inaccuracies. While the story is prima facie an historical biography it also highlights the travail and frustrations faced by the early aviation pioneers – in an age of innovation and advancement they were viewed by many in the scientific community, and the general public, as being no more than providers of novelty entertainment. Brown never accepted this role and had a greater vision of the future of aviation. Brown’s story also reflects the many interesting, and to us, peculiar aspects of contemporary Victorian society. Cover Contents Chapter 1: Death due to Drowning Chapter 2: In the Beginning Chapter 3: Hampton Chapter 4: Trouble Chapter 5: Bad Day at Dublin Chapter 6: Bradford Fiasco Chapter 7: A New Beginning Chapter 8: Royal Gardens Chapter 9: Moving On Chapter 10: Something in the Air Chapter 11: Something in the Air Chapter 12: The Proposition In London Chapter 13: The Overland Route Chapter 14: The Simla Chapter 15: Eliza’s Journey Chapter 16: Introduction to Melbourne Chapter 17: A Balloon on the Ballaarat Chapter 18: Aloft Chapter 19: Changing Directions Chapter 20: The Dodge Chapter 21: The Reprise Chapter 22: Hard Times Chapter 23: A New Balloon Chapter 24: The All England Eleven Chapter 25: The Grand Discovery In Melbourne Bibliography Index This is the biography of Charles Henry Brown, whose obsession with aerostation took him from Great Britain to Australia and India. It highlights the problems pioneer aeronauts faced - they often were viewed as no more than providers of novelty entertainment. Brown's story also reflects aspects of contemporary Victorian society.