David brewster basketball
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David Brewster
Scottish astronomer and mathematician (1781–1868)
For other people named David Brewster, see David Brewster (disambiguation).
Sir David Brewster KH FRS FRSSA MICE | ||
|---|---|---|
Brewster, c. 1824 | ||
| In office 1859–1868 | ||
| Preceded by | John Lee | |
| Succeeded by | Sir Alexander Grant | |
| In office 1837–1859 | ||
| Succeeded by | Reverend John Tulloch | |
| Born | 11 December 1781 Canongate, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Kingdom of Great Britain | |
| Died | 10 February 1868(1868-02-10) (aged 86) Allerly House, Gattonside, Roxburghshire, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland | |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh | |
| Known for | Brewster's angle Brewsterite Edge tessellation Kaleidoscope Optical mineralogy Photoelasticity Physical optics Polarized light microscopy Purple fringing Spirit photography Stereoscope | |
| Spouses | Juliet Macpherson (m. 1810; died 1850)Jane Kirk Purnell (m. 1857) | |
| Children | 5 | |
| Awards | Copley Medal (1815) Keith Priz
Sir David Brewster, FRS, lived from 11 December 1781 to 10 February 1868. He was a renowned scientist who made a particular contribution in the field of optics. The wider picture in Scotland at the time is set out in our Historical Timeline. David Brewster was born in Jedburgh, where his father was rector of the local grammar school. At the age of 12 he went to the University of Edinburgh to study, his family thought, for the clergy. Brewster duly obtained his theology degree and qualified to become a church minister. He never did so, however, becoming increasingly interested in the physical properties of light. Brewster went on to make a series of discoveries, sometimes in parallel with the likes of Etienne Louis Malus and Augustin Fresnel working in France. He was particularly engaged in the areas of the polarisation of light, of refraction and reflection, and the absorption of light. In 1812 he was awarded a degree by Marischal College, Aberdeen and in 1815 he wa
Sir David Brewster (1781-1868)Calotype portrait of Sir David Brewster by David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson Principal and Vice Chancellor, 1859-1868 Occupation, Sphere of ActivityDavid Brewster was born in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire in 1781, to James Brewster, the rector of Jedburgh Grammar School and Margaret Key. He was educated at the University of Edinburgh, graduating MA in 1800. Although he was originally intending to be a Minister. Though a successful preacher in the Church of Scotland, his phobia of public speaking curtailed his involvement in the church. However, his faith continued to play an important role in his life, and his support for the Free Church of Scotland in 1843 nearly led to his dismissal from the University of Edinburgh. Concentrating on the science of optics, Brewster made significant discoveries about polarisation of light and absorption spectra, invented the kaleidoscope and developed the stereoscope. His religious faith is also thought to have played a part in his scepticism about the wave theory of light. In his lifetime, he published a Copyright ©momitem.pages.dev 2025 | |