Robert Browne (1540-1630) was the founder of the Brownists.

He was born at Tolethorpe Hall in Rutland, England. He was the first seceder from the Church of England, and the first to found a Church of his own on Congregational principles, which he did at Norwich. His project of secession proved a failure, and he returned to the English Church.

He died in jail at Northampton, where he was imprisoned for assaulting a constable. He may be considered as the father of the Congregational body in England.

Works

• A Trve and Short Declaration (1581)
• A Treatise of Reformation without Tarrying for any and of the Wickedness of those Preachers which will not reform till the Magistrate command or compel them (1582)
• A Book which sheweth the Life and Manners of all true Christians (1582)
• An answere to master Cartwright his letter for ioyning with the English Church (1583)
• A true and short declaration, both of the gathering and ioyning together of certaine persons, and also of the lamentable breach and division which fell amongst them (1583)
• A Reproof of Certain Schismatical Persons (15??)
• A New Year's Guift (1589)

External links

• English dissenters – Brownists — this ExLibris article has considerably more biographical detail about Robert Browne.

1540 births | 1630 deaths | English people