Sir David Brewster

David Brewster was born in Jedburgh, in 1781.

He was recognized as a child prodigy, and constructed a telescope when only ten years old. Though chiefly remembered today for his invention of the kaleidoscope his interests lay in a wide variety of areas and was deeply involved in the early days of photography.

Brewster's main experiments were on the theory of light and its uses and Some Properties of Light, his first paper, was published in 1813. `Brewster's Rule' was named after his 1814 researches into polarisation using biaxial crystals. He often adapted and improved existing technical instruments to suit his researches, as well as developing new tools.

Another of Brewster's instruments quickly became a favourite toy.

The Lenticular Stereoscope was used to produce a 3-D image, and came as a result of his involvement in early photography.

Reports on Brewster's character vary.  He was apparently liked by his young students at St Andrews (average age 12-13), however, it is also said that, 'Nobody ever had dealings with him and escaped a quarrel,' and in 1859 he left St Andrews to become Principal of Edinburgh University.  He has the distinction of being awarded all three principal medals of the Royal Society for his optical researches: the Copley, Rumford and Royal medals, which he gained in 1815, 1818 and 1830 respectively.  Brewster was certainly one of the most energetic scholars of his period, interested in a great variety of areas, and he has left behind an intriguing set of scientific instruments.

http://www.brewstersociety.com/brewster_bio.html