11, 1781.  He was educated for the Church of Scotland, of which he became a licentiate; and in 1800 he received the honorary degree of M. A. from the University of Edinburgh.  While studying here he enjoyed the friendship of Robison, who then filled the Chair of Natural Philosophy; Playfair, of Mathematics; and Dugald Stewart that of Moral Philosophy.  In 1808, he undertook the editorship of the “Edinburgh Encyclopaedia,” which was only finished in 1830.  In 1807 he received the honorary degree of LL.  D. from the University of Aberdeen; and in 1808 was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.  Between 1801 and 1812 he devoted his attention greatly to the study of Optics; and the results were published in a “Treatise on New Philosophical Instruments,” in 1813.  In 1815 he received the Copley Medal of the Royal Society for one of his discoveries in optical science; and soon after was admitted a Fellow of that body.  In 1816, the Institute of France adjudged to him half of the physical prize of 3000 francs, awarded for two of the most important discoveries made in Europe, in any branch of science, during the two preceding years; and in 1819, Dr. Brewster received from the Royal Society the Rumford gold and silver medals, for his discoveries on the Polarization of Light.  In 1816 he invented the Kaleidoscope, the patent-right of which was evaded, so that the inventor gained little beyond fame, though the large sale of the instrument must have produced considerable profit.  In 1819, in conjunction with Dr. Jameson, he established the “Edinburgh Philosophical Journal”; and subsequently he commenced the “Edinburgh Journal of Science,” of which sixteen volumes appeared.  In 1825, the Institute of France elected him a Corresponding Member; and he has received the same honor from the Royal Academies of Russia, Prussia, Sweden, and Denmark.  In 1831, he received the Decoration of the Hanoverian Guelphic Order; and in the following year, the honor of Knighthood from William the Fourth.

Sir David Brewster has edited and written various works, besides contributing largely to the Edinburgh Review, the Transactions of the British Association, and other scientific societies, and the North British Review.  Among his more popular works are “A Treatise on the Kaleidoscope;” an original Treatise on Optics for the Cabinet Cyclopaedia; and Letters on Natural Magic and a Life of Sir Isaac Newton for the “Family Library.”  The latter work has been translated into German.

Sir David Brewster is likewise one of the editors of the London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine.

The discoveries of Sir David Brewster range from the kaleidoscope to the law of the angle of polarization, the physical laws of metallic reflection, and the optical properties of crystals; and the venerable philosopher is the author of an immense number of facts and practical applications in every branch of optics.