Moses Browne

Who was Moses Browne?

Moses Browne was a pen-cutter from Clerkenwell, London, England who became a poet and eventually rose amongst the ranks of the Church of England.

Browne made many contributions to the Gentleman's Magazine which was founded by Edward Cave in 1731. During this time, Browne would be mixing with some of the distinguished literary figures of the time, including Samuel Johnson.

Moses Browne married Ann Wibourne in 1738 in Clerkenwell. He had in excess of 9 children and some records indicate up to 13.

Browne was appointed vicar of Olney, Buckinghamshire in 1753. In 1764, Browne took on the post of Chaplain at Morden College in Blackheath, London. One of the reasons being the wage he acquired from his post at Olney could not sustain such his large family. However, he remained vicar of Olney at the same time as vicar of Sutton, Lincolnshire until his death in 1787.