Sir David Brewster was a Scottish physicist and inventor, born on December 11, 1781. He is best known for his work in the field of optics, particularly for inventing the stereoscope, a device that creates the illusion of depth in images. Brewster also made significant contributions to the understanding of polarization of light and published numerous scientific papers throughout his career. In addition to his scientific achievements, Brewster was a prominent figure in the promotion of science and education. He served as the principal of the University of Edinburgh and was a founding member of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. Brewster was knighted in 1831 for his contributions to science and continued to influence the field until his death on February 10, 1868.