Robert Brown grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and went to college at The State University College at Buffalo. He taught High School English in Liberty, New York, and Poughkeepsie, New York, and Middle School Science in Atlanta, Georgia
Robert Brown has read his poetry at the Folger Library, Library of Congress as well as in venues in New York City and Atlanta. In his work, he leans toward the narrative, long biographical pieces, often about life with his daughter Vita. He has worked as a political organizer, driven a cab in New York City, run the family business, sold balloons, and a dozen of other jobs that have worked their way into his poems.