Brewster (broo'stur), Sir David. An English philosopher and author. Born in 1781. Educated at Edinburgh. From 1808 to 1829, he was editor of the "Edinburgh Encyclopedia." In 1815 he was elected F. R. S., and the next year invented the kaleidoscope. Among his chief works are a "Treatise on Optics," and "Memoirs of the Life, Writings, and Discoveries of Newton." His researches on double refraction and discovery of the law of the polarization of light are his chief titles to eminence. Died 1868.

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