Dayton Reginald Eugene Brown, painter, printmaker, teacher, and sculptor, was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 7, 1895.  He studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Illinois, Art Center School in Los Angeles, and San Diego State College. 

Brown moved to southern California during the mid 1920s. During the 1920s and 1930s he worked as an illustrator for the motion picture industry, and did a series of drypoint portraits of Hollywood stars. During his service in World War II he was appointed Head of Concealment Research and Development for the U.S. Navy. After his discharge, he moved to San Diego and established a studio in La Jolla.

Brown exhibited in both the United States and England and won numerous prizes for his sculpture, painting and etching.  He was a member of and exhibited with the Chicago Society of Etchers, Printmakers of California, California Society of Etchers, and the California Art Club. His work is represented in the San Diego Museum of Art.

Dayton Brown died in La Jolla, California on August 22, 1971.