Arthur Brown was born in the inner city suburb of Pyrmont in 1881. He was educated at Newington College in Sydney and proved to be an outstanding sportsman.
He captained the Newington College G.P.S. rugby union First XV in 1900 and was also the vice-captain of the Newington College First XI Cricket team. The first XI cricket team was both Premiership and Championship winners in 1900. Arthur played cricket at Moore Park for many years.