William Crary Brownell (August 30, 1851 – July 22, 1928) was an American literary and art critic, born in New York City, son of Isaac W Brownell and his wife Lucia E née Brown.

[1] Brownell graduated from Amherst College in 1871, from where he also later received two honorary degrees.

He published French Traits (1889), an essay in comparative criticism; French Art (1892), classic and contemporary painting and sculpture; Newport (1896); Victorian Prose Masters (1901); American Prose Masters (1909).

Ten years after her death in 1911, he married Gertrude Hall (1863-1961) the writer, poet and translator (not to be confused with Anna Gertrude Hall, the children's writer).

His studies of the later English prose writers were highly regarded and deservedly praised; he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.