Family and Education

b. 1563, 1st s. of Thomas Browne of Betchworth Castle by his 1st w. educ. Magdalen Coll. Oxf. 1576; I. Temple 1582. m. Jane, da. of Sir Thomas Vincent of Stoke D’Abernon, 3s. 2da. Kntd. 1596; suc. fa. 1597.

Offices Held

J.p. Surr., dep. lt. 1600.

Biography

An important connexion throughout Browne’s brief career was Charles Howard I, the lord admiral, in whose expedition to Cadiz Browne served, being knighted there by the Earl of Essex. In 1600 he was appointed one of Howard’s deputy lieutenants in Surrey, which may have helped him to secure his return to Parliament for Gatton in the following year. He sat on the main business committee, 3 Nov. 1601. A duel in the summer of 1603 with Sir John Townshend resulted in the death of both parties. Browne, whose estate included the honour of Gloucester, as well as the Surrey manors of Dorking, Capel, Mickleham and Betchworth, left a 12 year-old heir. The executors of the will, proved only in 1608, were Sir William Mynne and a cousin, Thomas Browne.

Vis. Surr. (Harl. Soc. xliii), 10; HMC 7th Rep. 659; APC, xxxi. 12; D’Ewes, 624; PCC 33 Windebanck; Manning and Bray, Surr. i. 558.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: H.G.O.

Notes