Brown, Arthur Henry

Composer

b Brentwood, Essex 1830, d Brentwood 1926. Starting to play the organ from the age of 10, he was organist of Brentwood Parish Ch from 1842 (aged 12) to 1853, then moving to Romford for 5 years before returning to Brentwood for the rest of his 95 years. A plainchant enthusiast, he was a committee member of the Gregorian Assn who edited service books for its annual festival. He contributed several tunes to various edns of A&M whose Historical Companion calls him ‘a fertile writer of melodious hymn tunes and carols published in many books, and the editor of many publications’, including a Gregorian Psalter. He composed more than 1000 variations in his Accompanying Harmonies for the Gregorian Psalm Tones, and 800 hymn and carol tunes as well as other service music. Other publications included The Anglican Psalter and Divers Carols for Christmas and Other Tydes of Holy Church. Nos.316, 704, 753.