Mary Browne

Mary Ann Browne (also known as Mrs. James Gray; 24 September 1812 – 28 January 1845) was an English poet and writer of musical scores.

Mary Ann (sometimes Mary-Anne) Browne was born in Maidenhead, Berkshire, 24 September 1812. She was the eldest of three children. Though some sources mention Felicia Hemans was her sister, that is not the case.

A collection of her verses came before the public when she was only fifteen years of age. Browne wrote Mont Blanc, Ada, Bepentance, The Coronal, The Birthday Gift, Ignatia, Sacred Poetry, and many fugitive pieces in periodicals.

In 1840, her family removed to Liverpool. In 1842, she married James Gray, a Scotchman, and a nephew of James Hogg. Her mature character was remarkable for piety and charity, shown in deeds of unostentatious usefulness to all around her. She died 28 January 1845 at Sunday's Well, Cork, Ireland.

Her writing evinced a mind which has derived its thoughts chiefly from secondary sources. Her style was always imitative, yet the pathos which usually belongs to her themes, and her mode Of treating them, was attractive and endearing.

• The captive knight : a ballad, 18-- (Musical score)
• The messenger bird, a duett, 1826 (Musical score, with George E. Blake)
• The sunset tree, Tyrolese evening hymn, 1826 (Musical score, with George E Blake)
• The Pilgrim Fathers, 1827 (Musical score)
• Mont Blanc, and other poems by Mary Ann Browne, in her fifteenth year., 1827
• The recall, 1827-33 (Musical score, with Charles Bradlee)
• Ada, and other poems, 1828
• Evening song to the Virgin, (at sea) A duett., 183- (Musical score, with Edward S Mesier)
• The blue sea, song of a Greek islander in exile,, 183- (Musical score, with Edward S Mesier)
• The coronal; original poems, sacred and miscellaneous., 1833
• Ignatia, and other poems, 1838
• Twelve popular songs, 18-- (with Edward F. Rimbault)