Brown was born in
Nashville, Tennessee on March 14, 1940. Before becoming a writer, he acted as a creative director of an advertising agency in
Nashville. He graduated from
Emory University in 1962 and was a member of
Sigma Chi fraternity. In 1991 he was honored as a "Significant Sig", an award given by the organization to its notable members. Both books were very popular and led to ''Life's Little Instruction Book
, which was originally written as a going-away present for his college-bound son, Adam. This book contained 511 reminders about "how to live a happy and rewarding life" and became a best-seller worldwide. It has logged more than two years on the New York Times
Best Seller list, including more than a year at the number one spot. Life's Little Instruction Book
was the first book to ever occupy the number one spot on the New York Times
Best Seller list in both paperback and hardback formats simultaneously. Live and Learn and Pass It On
followed and also became a New York Times
Best Seller. It was co-authored with his ex-wife Rosemary C. Brown, who is herself an author with books like Rosemary Brown's Big Kitchen Instruction Book''. Brown's books have been translated into 35 languages. They have spawned calendars, posters, apparel items, daily journals, greeting cards, audiocassettes, screensavers and fortune cookies. He died on November 30, 2021, at the age of 81 at his residence in
Nashville. ==Works==