David Brewster
Sir David Brewster KH PRSE FRS FSA Scot FSSA MICE (11 December 178110 February 1868) was a British scientist, inventor, author, and academic administrator. In science he is principally remembered for his experimental work in physical optics, mostly concerned with the study of the polarization of light and including the discovery of Brewster's angle. He studied the birefringence of crystals under compression and discovered photoelasticity, thereby creating the field of optical mineralogy. For this work, William Whewell dubbed him the "father of modern experimental optics" and "the Johannes Kepler of optics."Brewster was a pioneer in photography. He invented an improved stereoscope, which he called "lenticular stereoscope" and which became the first portable 3D-viewing device. He also invented the stereoscopic camera, two types of polarimeters, the polyzonal lens, the lighthouse illuminator, and the kaleidoscope.
Brewster was a devout Presbyterian and marched arm-in-arm with his brother during the events of the Disruption of 1843, which led to the formation of the Free Church of Scotland. As a historian of science, Brewster focused on the life and work of his hero, Isaac Newton. Brewster published a detailed biography of Newton in 1831 and later became the first scientific historian to examine many of the papers in Newton's ''Nachlass''. Brewster also wrote numerous works of popular science, and was one of the founders of the British Science Association, of which he was elected President in 1849. He became the public face of higher education in Scotland, serving as Principal of the University of St Andrews (1837–1859) and later of the University of Edinburgh (1859–1868). Brewster also edited the 18-volume ''Edinburgh Encyclopædia''. Provided by Wikipedia
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101Notice respecting the eggs of the boa constrictor, and of a young brood hatched from them in Assam /Published 1826Other Authors: “...Brewster, David, 1781-1868...”
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102by Moll, Gerard, 1785-1838Other Authors: “...Brewster, David, 1781-1868...”
Published 1826
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103by Butter, JohnOther Authors: “...Brewster, David, 1781-1868...”
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104Other Authors: “...Brewster, David, 1781-1868...”
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105Other Authors: “...Brewster, David, 1781-1868...”
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106Other Authors: “...Brewster, David, 1781-1868...”
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107Published 1824Other Authors: “...Brewster, David, 1781-1868...”
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108by Wöllner, ChristianOther Authors: “...Brewster, David, 1781-1868...”
Published 1827
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109by Ferguson, James, 1710-1776Other Authors: “...Brewster, David, 1781-1868...”
Published 1806
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110Other Authors: “...Brewster, David, 1781-1868...”
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111
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112by Davies, Charles, 1798-1876Other Authors: “...Brewster, David, 1781-1868...”
Published 1842
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Related Subjects
Optical mineralogy
Polarization (Light)
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