Brown studied at St Andrew's College, University of Sydney, intending to enter the Presbyterian ministry, but was forced to withdraw due to health problems.

[1] Representing Forbes at the first Farmers and Settlers' Association conference in 1893, Brown was a skilled advocate, and was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the Labor Member for Condoublin in 1894.

[1][2] Brown resigned from New South Wales Parliament in 1901 and, in a surprising turn of events, defeated Bernhard Wise for the seat of Canobolas.

He was easily elected to Calare, and his standing in parliament was shown when he was sent as part of the Australian delegation to the coronation of King George V in 1911.

[1] Defeated in Calare in 1913, Brown returned to New South Wales politics as the member for Lachlan, where he remained well known as a supporter of rural interests.