James Brown came up to Pembroke in 1726. He was awarded his B.A. in 1729-30 and his M.A. in 1733. He was elected a Fellow of Pembroke in 1735 and held the roles of Taxor in 1737 and Proctor in 1750-51 for the University. Pembroke elected him Master in 1770 and he held the role until 1784. During that time he was also Vice-Chancellor of the University (1771-72). He died in 1784.