Brown, Robert Raymond

(June 16, 1910-Feb. 5, 1994). Bishop and civil rights leader. He was born in Garden City, Kansas. Brown received his B.A. in 1933 from St. Mary's University and his B.D. in 1937 from the Virginia Theological Seminary. He was ordained deacon on June 20, 1937, and priest on Dec. 24, 1937. He was priest-in-charge of All Saints' Church, San Benito, and St. Alban's Church, Harlingen, Texas, 1937-1940, and associate rector of Trinity Church, Houston, 1940-1941. From 1941 until 1947, Brown was rector of St. Paul's Church, Waco, and from 1947 until 1955, he was rector of St. Paul's Church, Richmond, Virginia. Brown was consecrated Bishop Coadjutor of Arkansas on Oct. 5, 1955, and became the ninth Bishop of Arkansas on Oct. 5, 1956. He held this position until his retirement on Nov. 1, 1970. Brown was a civil rights advocate and a supporter of Negro causes. He served as a Trustee of the American Church Institute for Negroes. In 1957 Brown became involved in the integration of Central High School in Little Rock. His book, Bigger Than Little Rock (1958), is the story of reconciliation during that tumultuous period. He died in Little Rock.