David Brown (producer) fifty-one years, until his death, Brown was the husband of Helen Gurley Brown, editor of "Cosmopolitan" magazine for 32 years, and author of "Sex and the Single Girl". Brown had one son, Bruce, from a prior marriage, who predeceased him, and a half brother, Edward Fisher Brown Jr. He was known equally for his mannerliness, fine wardrobe, distinctive mustache and for championing writers. He had strong connections with publishers and agents. Brown wrote "Brown's Guide to the Good Life: Tears, Fears and Boredom" (2005), which gives advice on life. He also wrote "Let Me Entertain You" (1990), an anecdotal autobiography.
William Gurley the firm of Oscar Hanks, who was a well-known maker of surveying instruments and church bells in Troy. He worked for Hanks for five years. In 1845, Gurley established his own scientific instrument manufacturing business in partnership with James Phelps. Phelps had had his own shop since 1838. They called the business Phelps & Gurley. In 1844, William Gurley's brother Lewis Ephraim Gurley joined Phelps' shop as an apprentice and he then attended Union College from 1847 to 1851. Lewis Gurley rejoined the firm in 1851, at which point it was renamed Phelps and Gurleys. In 1852, Phelps sold out