Little is known of Mr Brown’s early life. His mother was Jean Peat a domestic servant from Ratho Village and he adopted the name Brown later in life. Born in 1868, his birth does not appear to have been recorded.
Mr W. C. P. Brown of Murieston Crescent, Edinburgh, was one of the original shareholders of the Heart of Midlothian Football Company. At that time it is believed he ran a joiner’s business in the city.
He was immediately appointed a director of the new football company, but unfortunately he had to resign his position in 1907, when his own business ran into difficulties.
In 1921 he was re-elected to the board and immediately started scouting for new players. However, his board job was difficult, as the club struggled financially in the early 1920s, due to the poor form of the team. Mr Brown was also one of the proud Heart of Midlothian directors who instituted the club’s War Memorial at Haymarket in 1922.
In March 1924, Mr W. C. P. Brown was again re-elected to the board and his address was quoted as the County Hotel, Edinburgh althought whether as a tenent or owner is unclear. He later purchased the Rutland Hotel.
He was chauffeur driven in a Buick straight eight, maroon coloured (of course) and he was appointed Chairman of Heart of Midlothian Football Club in April 1924.In December 1924, as Chairman, he presided at the club’s Jubilee dinner in the Freemason’s Hall in George Street, Edinburgh and from 1925/8 he also controlled the expansion and development of Tynecastle Park into the stadium which would support the club for the next thirty years. Indeed Mr Brown used his personal funds to support and assist the club for the next ten years.
Mr Brown was a major benefactor of Heart of Midlothian over the years and he refurbished the boardroom at his own expense. He also led the negotiations with the Town Council which resulted in the purchase of Tynecastle Park in April 1925 for £5,000.
In November 1927 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the City of Edinburgh. At this time he stayed at 23 Cluny Gardens, Edinburgh.
In the late twenties and early thirties, Mr W. C. P. Brown’s shrewd handling of the club’s finances not only allowed Heart of Midlothian to support massive ground developments but also to recruit some of the finest players in the Scottish game. However, in April 1933, after stalwart service, he stepped down as Chairman when the club’s finances returned to a healthy position. That did not stop his work for the club and in November 1934 he funded the construction of a gymnasium for the players.
In this year he also purchased the lands and property of Ingliston and turned it into a golf course. The house, a mansion built in 1846 in the old Scottish Baronial Style, was turned into a clubhouse. The 1935 Golfer’s Handbook describes the course:-
Ingliston G. C. Ingliston House, Ratho Station near Edinburgh. Tel No. Ratho 65. Membership limited to 650. Hon. Sec., W. F. McGregor. (p). I. Walker. 18 holes.
Visitors’ fees, 2s per day; 2s 6d Saturdays and Sundays.
Brother W.C.P. Brown was a member of the Masonic Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho No. 85. He is generally believed to be responsible for the restoration work in 1926 at the building then used by the Ratho Masonic Lodge, when a portrait of The Earl of Lauderdale was discovered, although no confirmation of this can be found. As well as being generous to the Parish Church where he donated carpet, lectern, chairs for the elders’ and a baptismal font. He also gave some beautiful furnishings to his Mother Lodge (a master’s desk, warden’s pedestals and altar, all of oak and beautifully carved) in 1935.
In 1936 he supplemented this by an extensive scheme of renovation of the Lodge Room. The lower parts of the walls were lined with oak panelling, and the old forms which had been used by generations of members, were replaced with a full set of portable tip-up seats. In recognition of his generosity he was presented with a gold replica, in the form of a medal of the old seal of the Lodge. Apart from the secretary, Brother Brown was the only person in the world to posses this seal.
He was also a founder member of the Heart of Midlothian Lodge.
Ratho football team at that time also enjoyed his sponsorship as he gave them strips and boots.
Mr Brown had spells as Vice-Chairman and his experience was required in March 1935 when Heart of Midlothian had to resist moves from other clubs for Tommy Walker. A month later, the Chairman, Elias Furst, resigned and this was followed by the resignation of the Manager, William McCartney.
W. C. P. Brown wanted Heart of Midlothian to appoint a manager-coach instead of the traditional manager-secretary. In July 1935 he got his way when David Pratt was appointed. This did not prove to be a success and Mr Brown helped to secure his replacement, the former Arsenal goalkeeper, Frank Moss, who came to the club in February 1937.
In 1937/8 he moved to 31 Queensferry Road, Edinburgh.
In 1939 he was involved in the search for a new stadium and a year later his strength and experience were required to keep Heart of Midlothian afloat after the outbreak of the War.
In May 1940, after 40 years of stalwart service to the club, Mr Brown was forced to resign through ill health. He died on 4th January 1941, and is buried in North Merchiston Cemetery. His wife Sarah had died earlier and he was survived by a daughter Catherine.