Brother Jonathan

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The name “Jonathan” was taken from a caricature called Brother Jonathan, a precursor of Uncle Sam, an unmannered, forthright, patriotic New Englander.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2023

As a figure, Brother Jonathan was an enterprising, if crafty, businessman.

From Slate • Jul. 4, 2022

It's possible that the lankiness and facial features that Uncle Sam inherited from later depictions of Brother Jonathan were a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln.

From Salon • Dec. 11, 2021

He replaced Brother Jonathan, a New Englander, as an American icon in the early 19th century after an article circulated in the May 12, 1830, New York Gazette.

From New York Times • Jul. 3, 2015

The English ship-builders have a great deal to learn from Brother Jonathan, not only in the fashion of build, but likewise in the 'fitting and rigging.'

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 454 Volume 18, New Series, September 11, 1852 by Chambers, William