James E. Brown, D.D.S. papers

James Earthine Brown (1925-2003) was born in Holly Hill, S.C. and moved to Charleston, S.C. at the age of three with his family. Educated in the schools of Charleston, he graduated from the Avery Normal Institute in 1940. He continued his studies at South Carolina State College, but during his junior year he was drafted into the United States Military to serve during World War II. He served in a medical outfit in the U.S. Air Force between 1943 and 1946 and earned two Bronze Stars for his service.

Following the end of World War II, he returned to S.C. State to earn his Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry. He later graduated from Howard University in 1952 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. After his graduation, he returned to his hometown of Charleston to practice dentistry. He opened his private practice on the second floor of 466 King Street. After five years, he moved his practice to 34 Morris Street, where he continued to serve the African American community for decades.

Throughout his career, Dr. Brown was a steadfast member of the Palmetto Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association (PMDPA.) He served as the President of the PMDPA in 1968 and as the Chairman of the Executive Board between 1977 and 1998. He was also involved with numerous other civil groups, including the Owls Whist Club, the Gamma Lambda Boule of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, the Charleston Trident Chamber of Commerce, and the Bank of South Carolina Charleston, where he served as the Director and a Board Member at various times.

He married Sarah Burgess, and the couple had one daughter, Jamella Brown Jaglal.