He was educated at Geelong Church of England Grammar School before becoming a clerk, eventually joining the Bank of New South Wales.

In 1878 he was charged with "boss-cockie dummying"; he subsequently admitted that he helped those in his family and circle of friends to exploit the 1869 Land Act.

Defeated in 1889, and unsuccessful in his attempts to return in 1892 (in Gunbower), 1893 and 1894, he was elected to the Assembly again in 1897 for the seat of Shepparton and Euroa[2] as a supporter of Sir George Turner.

[1] In 1906, Brown entered the federal House of Representatives as a member of the Anti-Socialist Party,[3] and was noted for his opposition to the ministry of Alfred Deakin.

[5] In his retirement, Brown managed a rural property at Moyhu until he died at Brighton on 28 September 1925, survived by a daughter.