The island is thought to have been first discovered by Europeans on 21 August 1821 by the British ship Eliza Francis, and named by her commander, one Captain Brown.
The Millersville settlement on western side of island was occasionally used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was abandoned; it was reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958. Public entry is by special-use permit from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service only and is generally restricted to scientists and educators. The island is visited annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.