John Brown (1826-1883) at Frogmore

John Brown is depicted here at Frogmore House in Home Park, Windsor. He was a ghillie (outdoor servant) from Balmoral Castle in Scotland which the Queen and Prince Albert had bought in 1853. After Albert’s death the Queen developed a close relationship with him, and he was extremely protective of her. Shortly after Brown’s death in 1883 the Queen wrote in a letter ‘Perhaps never in history was there so strong and true an attachment, so warm and loving a friendship between the sovereign and servant…Strength of character as well as power of frame – the most fearless uprightness, kindness, sense of justice, honesty, independence and unselfishness combined with a tender, warm heart…the most remarkable of men’. Signed and dated: C. Sohn jr / 83. Inscribed on the back as a portrait of Brown with Spot at Frogmore in 1882, painted in 1883 from a photograph.

[Wikipedia]