Browne was the second son of two sons and four daughters born to Peter Browne, 2nd Earl of Altamont and Elizabeth Kelly of Lisduffe, County Galway. He was born and raised at the family home of Westport House, County Mayo. He was a direct descendant of the pirate, Gráinne Ní Mháille (c1530-c1603).
Browne served as an officer in the 5th Royal Irish Dragoons from 1779 to 1784. Due to his brother"s influence and the support of the Irish catholic interest, he was elected Member of Parliament for County Mayo in 1782, which he would hold till 1800. In time, they were conciliated by the Duke of Rutland"s administration.
Browne was appointed to the privy council on 20 January 1794.
Browne supported catholic emancipation but would not help the Catholic Committee in organising elections in the county. Wolfe Tone believed this was because Browne was unwilling to lose any influence in his locality.
In 1795 the brothers assisted over five hundred Ulster families who fled to Mayo in the wake of disturbances arising from the Battle of the Diamond. All the refugees were carefully questioned to root out any disaffected elements, the families settling on the family estates.
He was appointed High Sheriff of Mayo for 1798, the year of the Irish Rebellion.
He acquired the nickname Denis the Rope in the aftermath of the French invasion of Mayo in that year for his zeal in hanging suspected rebels. His own home in Claremorris was destroyed by the rebels. Browne had a well-earned reputation as a feared duelist.
In the following decades he represented Mayo (1800–1818) and Kilkenny city (1820-1826), strongly supporting military coercion in Ireland.
However, he was still a supporter of catholic emancipation. He died at his home in Claremorris.
A portrait of him by Sir Joshua Reynolds hangs in Westport House.
1st United Kingdom Parliament. 2nd United Kingdom Parliament. 4th United Kingdom Parliament.
5th United Kingdom Parliament.
7th United Kingdom Parliament.
