BROWN, ROBERT, an English clergyman, founder of the sect of Brownists, b. in 1549, the son of Anthony Brown, esq., of Folthorp, Rutlandshire, was educated at Cambridge, and was at first a preacher at Bennet church, then a schoolmaster in Southwark, and a lecturer at Islington. In 1580, he began to attack the order and discipline of the established church, and soon after formed a distinct church on democratic principles at Norwich. Committed by Dr. Freake, bishop of that see, to the custody of the sheriff, he was released from prison through the influence of the lord-treasurer, Cecil, to whom he was nearly related. Having, in 1582, published a con troversial work, entitled The Life and Manners of True Christians, with, prefixed, A Treatise of Reformation without Tarrying for Any, he was again arrested, but, through the lord-treasurer's intercession, again liberated. He afterwards formed several con
gregational churches; but, with many of his followers, was obliged to take refuge in Holland. In 15S9, he returned to England, reconciled himself to the established church, and became rector of a church near Oundle, Northamptonshire. Of a very violent temper, lie was, when 80 years old, sent to Northampton jail, for an assault on a constable, and died in prison in 1630. The Brownists continued, notwithstanding the defection of their leader, to subsist as a separate sect for some time both in Hol land (among the English there) and in England. In the former country, they were at last absorbed in, or reconciled to, the Presbyterian church in 1701, in the latter, they may be said to have given birth to the Independents (q.v.), who rose into great importance in the 17th century.