Sir David Brewster, a Scottish physicist, mathematician, astronomer, inventor, writer, historian of science and university principal.
Biographical Overview
Born in England, 1781-1868 Physicist Founder of modern experimental optics. most noted for his contributions to the field of optics, he studied the double refraction by compression and discovered the photoelastic effect, which gave birth to the field of optical mineralogy. For his work, William Whewell dubbed him the “Father of modern experimental optics” and “the Johannes Kepler of Optics.” Recognized as the inventor of the kaleidoscope and an improved version of the stereoscope applied to photography.
Awards
Copley Medal, 1815 Rumford Medal, 1818 Keith Prize, 1827-9, 1829-1831 Royal Medal, 1839
Worldview
Using a biblical worldview perspective, Brewster successfully applied the scientific method to investigate the laws of nature, His worldview is notable from what he said –
“It can’t be presumption to be sure [of our forgiveness] because it is Christ’s work, not ours; on the contrary, it is presumption to doubt His word and work.”
“I shall see Jesus, and that will be grand. I shall see Him who made the worlds.”
David Brewster
In 1845, Brewster wrote a critical review of a populist evolutionist book, the Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation, in the North British Review. Later, Brewster wrote a review of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species entitled The Facts and Fancies of Mr Darwin in Good Words (1862) noting that Darwin’s book combined both “interesting facts and idle fancies” which made up a “dangerous and degrading speculation.”
