Background
A celebrated performer on the viol, he was born (probably) in the parish of Christchurch, Newgate Street in London.
A celebrated performer on the viol, he was born (probably) in the parish of Christchurch, Newgate Street in London.
Little is known of his life. However many of his compositions have survived. Most of them are catches, rounds and glees but three instrumental pieces are stored in the Oxford Music School collection.
His father, Thomas Brewer, was a poulterer, and his mother"s Christian name was True.
On 9 December 1614 Brewer was admitted to Christ"s Hospital, although he was only three years old. Here he remained until 20 June 1626, when he left school, and was apprenticed to one Thomas Warner.
He learnt the viol at Christ"s Hospital from the school music-master. The date of Brewer"s death is unknown.