He was born one of three brothers to Joseph Brown, a merchant of St Vincent and moved as a child with his family to Trinidad, where he was educated at St Mary's College, Port of Spain.
[1] On his return to Trinidad he became a magistrate and was appointed Solicitor-General in 1892, a post he held until he was made Attorney-General in 1903.
He also served as Mayor of Port of Spain in 1889–90 and was appointed King's Counsel.
[2] His son, Kenneth Vincent Brown was a Senior Puisne Judge.
His grandson was Wayne Vincent Brown, a notable author, journalist and poet.