Edwin Tenney Brewster

Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on October 11, 1866, he studied at Harvard College, earning a bachelor's degree in 1890 and a master's degree in 1891. He later taught science at Brewster Academy and Phillips Academy before building a writing career that brought scientific subjects to a broad audience.

He is especially remembered as a popular science author. His books include Natural Wonders Every Child Should Know, A Guide to Living Things, This Puzzling Planet: An Introduction to Geology, and Life and Letters of Josiah Dwight Whitney. Across these works, he wrote in a clear, approachable way that helped non-specialist readers feel at home with science.

Brewster died in Brownfield, Maine, on March 14, 1960, at the age of 93. Though not widely known today, his books show a lifelong interest in explaining the natural world simply and well.