3-021-579 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The late Sir David Brewster, 1868. Engraving from a photograph by Mr. Claudet of 'this eminent philosopher...He passed...the theological classes and took a license as a preacher of the Church of Scotland; but he was more strongly attracted towards the study of science and the observation of natural phenomena...in examining Newton's theory of light he succeeded in discovering an important truth, that of the influence of the condition of the surfaces of bodies on the "inflection" or change of direction of the rays of light, which had been formerly accepted as a consequence oi the nature of the bodies themselves. He now devoted himself principally to the science of optics, in which he was destined to attain the highest reputation...The invention, or adaptation of Buffon's invention, excited a good deal of interest at the time, as it promised to lead to an improvement in the illumination of our lighthouses and the safe conduct of our coast navigation...In 1816...he invented an instrument which has become most popular - the kaleidoscope. The stereoscope also is, we understand, mainly his invention...In 1859 he was unanimously elected Principal of the University of Edinburgh, and...[was elected] President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1864'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.