Thomas Brune was probably born at Bruny Island and received a European education at the Orphan School in Hobart before being taken to Flinders Island with Commandant George August Robinson, protector of Aboriginals. While on Flinders Island, he co-wrote and edited the Flinders Island Chronicle with Walter George Arthur, which was produced from September 1837 to January 1838. Each edition was sanctioned by G. A. Robinson. Brune received a small stipend from each Chronicle sold. Articles in the Flinders Island Chronicle were of a religious nature sometimes based on Brune's perspective of his Bible readings, other times reporting events and people's behaviour on Flinders Island.
In addition to the Flinders Island Chronicle, Brune wrote several sermons and other miscellaneous pieces that were often read out to the Indigenous community living on Flinders Island. Brune also worked as a Clerk for Commandant Robinson, sometimes giving himself the title 'Clerk of the Commandant Office' in his printed works.
In 1839, Brune accompanied Robinson to Port Phillip. He died there after a fall from a tree.
