David Brewster's House

David Brewster's House

Natural Philosophy

Symmetricity in reflections of light has an intrinsic attraction to human thinking. Which is why the Kaleidoscope is one of the most natural inventions we could use to introduce Sir David Brewster. A Scotsman, clergyman, philosopher, a historian and a prolific inventor; Sir Brewster showed particular interest in Optics and the polarisation of light; earning him the title of “The Father of experimental Optics” (Whewell, n.d.) from his peers. Brewster’s angle is one his most simple yet practical discoveries that lets us calculate the angle at which light must strike a substance for maximum polarization. It is a cornerstone in the development of modern fibre optics, lasers and material engineering. As a historian Sir Brewster developed an obsession with Sir Isaac Newton which led to him writing not one , but two separate biographies on Newton.First in 1831 he published the Life of Sir Isaac Newton. Then later in 1855 ,a much more more complete “Memoirs of the Life, Writings and Discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton”.

mathematicalycurious

1837

naw4@st-andrews.ac.uk

Site

164

current,56.339221,-2.790119;

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Headmaster's House, St Leonards School

361

1858