John Brown (mountain man)

John Brown (dates of birth and death uncertain, likely active mid-19th century) was an American mountain man, fur trapper, and guide, primarily known for his association with the Gunnison Expedition of 1853.

Brown's early life and origins are largely undocumented. He appears in historical records in connection with Captain John W. Gunnison's survey of the central Rockies, tasked by the U.S. War Department to find a feasible railroad route to the Pacific. Brown served as a guide and hunter for the expedition, utilizing his knowledge of the terrain and wildlife to aid the party’s progress and secure provisions.

While the Gunnison Expedition ultimately met with tragedy – Gunnison and several others were killed in an attack by Native Americans in Utah – Brown survived and continued to work as a trapper and guide in the region. Accounts of his later activities are scarce, but he is remembered as a rugged and resourceful individual who played a role in the exploration and settlement of the American West. His knowledge of the mountain passes and indigenous populations was likely valuable to subsequent travelers and settlers.