Marshall S. Brown

Marshall S. Brown (1870-1948), Epsilon 1892, Phi Alpha 1932-1933

Marshall S. Brown, Epsilon 1892,  was a nationally-recognized and versatile academic. After graduation, he was an English instructor at Brown for one year followed by a year as an instructor of History at the University of Michigan. Brown then moved to New York University, where he was a Professor of History and Political Science and then Dean of Faculties from 1917-1940. He later became Dean Emeritus.

Among his publications were a History of Zeta Psi in 1899 and most notably Epoch Making Papers in United States History, first published in 1903 and still available on Amazon.com.

During Brother Brown’s term as Phi Alpha, the Fraternity decided to receive direct input from undergraduates at the Grand Chapter meetings, conducted its first Undergraduate Conference and issued its first letter to parents of new affiliates with information on the Fraternity, its aims and individual and organizational obligations. The governing body of the Fraternity also increased the number of Trustees to 29, with an elder from each active chapter.

After his term as Phi Alpha ended, Dr. Brown stayed active with Zeta Psi. He was an early supporter of the Zeta Psi Educational Foundation, serving as a Vice President, during its first year of operation in 1947, many years after his term as Phi Alpha had ended.

Paul Hamlin published Marshall S. Brown, 1870-1948: Teaching America’s Heritage of
Freedom in 1950.