Robert Brent

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert Brent (circa 1763–1819) was the first mayor of Washington, D.C., the federal capital of the United States of America. Brent was born into a prominent Catholic family in Woodstock, Stafford County, Virginia. His mother was Ann Carroll, the sister of Bishop John Carroll, the first bishop appointed for the U.S.

On June 3, 1802 Thomas Jefferson wrote to Brent[1] informing Brent of his intention to appoint Brent as mayor of the city. Brent replied accepting the appointment that same day: "Altho I feel great diffidence in the talents I possess for executing that duty, in a manner which may afford general satisfaction, yet feeling it a duty to contribute my feeble aid for the public service, I will venture upon its duties."[2]

Brent was reappointed to the position seven times by Jefferson and three times by James Madison, finally relinquishing the position in June 1812. (The position of mayor remained a presidential appointment until 1820.) During his tenure, the city established a system for taxation, established markets, public schools, and a fire department. Brent drew no salary for his service as mayor.

During his lifetime, Brent also served as Paymaster General of the Army, Judge of the Orphan's Court for Washington County, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Public Schools. He was the first president of the Patriotic Bank and of the Columbia Manufacturing Co.

Brent's home was located on the southeast corner of what is now 12th Street and Maryland Avenue SW in Washington, DC, but he owned land throughout the region, including parts of Montgomery County, Maryland, and Washington County. Much of the landholdings were inherited through his father's family, mother's family (the Carrolls of Maryland) and from his father-in-law, Notley Young. (Brent married Mary Young in 1789.)

In 1817, he built the Brentwood Mansion in Washington County (the mansion site - Florida Ave and 6th Street NE ) is now part of the Gallaudet University campus in Northeast DC) as a wedding present for his daughter. Brentwood was designed by one of the Capitol's architects, Benjamin H. Latrobe and was destroyed by fire in 1870. The Prince George's County, Maryland, towns of Brentwood and North Brentwood and the DC neighborhood of Brentwood take their names from this estate.

Brent died in Washington, DC, in September 1819.