Wallace Hamilton Browne was born in 1947 to Gerald and Phyllis Browne. He was educated at Campbell College and Queen's University Belfast, where he graduated in Zoology. Browne taught Biology at Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt from 1970-2000.

Browne was first elected to Belfast City Council in 1985, representing the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). He served on Council until 2011. He was appointed as High Sheriff of Belfast in 2002.

In 2007, Browne was elected as a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly. He served as an MLA until 2011.

Browne was created a Life Peer in 2006, Baron Browne of Belmont.