author
Theron Brown
1832–1914
A Baptist minister turned longtime magazine editor, he wrote novels, poems, Bible sketches, and well-loved hymn stories. His work blends a pastor’s warmth with the clear, approachable style of a born storyteller.
1 Audiobook
The Story of the Hymns and Tunes
by Hezekiah Butterworth, Theron Brown
About the author
Born in Willimantic, Connecticut, on April 29, 1832, Theron Brown began his career as a Baptist minister and served churches in South Framingham and Canton, Massachusetts, from 1859 to 1870. After vocal trouble forced him to leave pastoral work, he moved into literary and editorial work that would shape the rest of his life.
Brown spent more than 40 years as a contributor and editor for The Youth’s Companion, becoming part of the magazine’s office staff for his later decades there. He also wrote hymns for services at Boston’s Ruggles Street Church and became especially remembered for religious and devotional writing.
His books ranged widely, from fiction and poetry to biblical reflection and hymn history. Among the works linked with him are The Blount Family, Life Songs, Nameless Women of the Bible, and The Story of the Hymns and Tunes, written with Hezekiah Butterworth. He died on February 14, 1914.