George Hilary Brown was born in
Clifton, Lancashire on 15 January 1784, the son of William Brown and Helen Brown (née Gradwell). His first cousin was
Robert Gradwell,
Vicar Apostolic of the London District. George entered
St Cuthbert's College, Ushaw on 25 September 1799, and received the
Tonsure, the four
Minor Orders, and the
sub-diaconate, at Ushaw, on 2 April 1808, from Bishop
William Gibson,
Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District. By the same bishop, he was ordained, at Ushaw, a
deacon on 14 December 1809 and a
priest on 13 June 1810. He left Ushaw College on 8 April 1819, and took charge of the
mission at
Lancaster until he was nominated to the Lancashire Vicariate. ==Episcopal career==