This college, one of the oldest educational institutions in Kerala, was established on 1st September 1862 by a Master attendant of Thalassery Port called Mr.Edward Brennen as a School. In 1866 it was attached to Basal Mission High School. In 1872 District Authorities took over the management and in 1919 Government took over the institution. In 1947, When F.A.(Fellow of Arts) Course Started, this was elevated as a college. In 1947 Govt.Brennen College was upgraded to the status of a first grade college. In 1958 November 26th the then Kerala Governor Dr.Ramakrishna Rao formally inaugurated the new building at Dharmadam and the college was shifted from Thalassery to the new site.