The papers document much of Senator Brown's political life in the Democratic Party at the county, state, and national levels. He served at the national level as executive committeeman, as a delegate to conventions, and as a long time representative on the Council of State Governments. The papers illuminate his prominence as President Pro Tempore and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee from 1942-1972. Among his major interests were education, educational television, mental health, industry, highways and ports development, and state government reorganization. Many of the papers document his service to his constituents and Barnwell County. As a Life trustee of Clemson University, he collected official and personal papers, 1948-1975. These range from minutes of trustees' meetings to Clemson-Carolina football games to Harvey Gantt's integration of Clemson.

A large segment of the papers project Brown's personal and political life. These are illustrated by scrapbooks, 1911-1972, and boxes of newspaper clippings, 1920-1975; correspondence, programs, and greeting cards. Photographs include members of the various legislative committees, personal friends, and family members. Major events were captured in photographs, film, and videotapes. The collection is a valuable primary source for state political and economic history.

There are loose-leaf inventories of folder titles and memorabilia, a key word index to folder titles, incomplete card indices of subjects, personal names, photographs and memorabilia.