Addison Bown (1905-1988)

from the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador

Journalist and politician. Born Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. Educated at St. Bonaventure’s College, St. John’s. Bown came to Newfoundland in 1906 when his father was appointed manager of DOSCO on Bell Island; the family moved to St. John’s in 1915. He returned to Wabana where he became Secretary of the Wabana Safety Committee in 1924 and held that position for twenty years. He was also the Daily News correspondent for Bell Island from 1928 to 1934, and between 1939-44 he edited a weekly newspaper, The Bell Island Miner. Bown became Minister of Supply in the first Smallwood Cabinet in April 1949 but resigned on May 27, 1949 after being defeated in the Harbour Main-Bell Island district in the first provincial election. Over the years he held the following positions: first President of the Businessmen’s Association, 1949; regional Vice-President of the Newfoundland Board of Trade, 1950; President of the Kiwanis Club, 1955; Chief Civil Defence Warden for Bell Island, 1956. On October 15, 1956 he was appointed Member of the Board of Public Utilities. He was Vice-Chairman of the Board when he retired on December 31, 1973. In 1981 Bown was a member of the Canadian Authors’ Association and was an executive member of the Newfoundland Historical Society. He compiled a history of Bell Island (1893 to 1939) in 1957 and was author of a book in 1971 entitled Newfoundland Journeys.

Addison Bown (interview, 1981). Newfoundland and Labrador Who’s Who, Centennial Edition (1968). CMB

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