Education
Breijer was educated at Amsterdam University being awarded a doctorate in mathematics and physics in 1893.
Breijer was educated at Amsterdam University being awarded a doctorate in mathematics and physics in 1893.
The same year he was appointed as lecturer at the Staatsgymnasium in Pretoria. He supported the idea of establishing a Staatsmuseum (later the Transvaal Museum) and was a trustee on its first board in 1893. He also functioned as honorary curator until 1897 when a suitable director was foundation
Breijer taught natural science and mathematics at the Pretoria Normal College (later the University of Pretoria) and in 1905 was appointed to the chair of mathematics at the Johannesburg School of Mines and Technology, which later became the Witwatersrand University.
He remained there until 1913 when he succeeded Doctor J. West. B. Gunning as director of the Transvaal Museum. Breijer was often associated with the Dutch-born entomologist Cornelis Jacobus Swierstra (1874-1952) in his collecting done in South Africa and Mozambique, and was succeeded as director by him in 1921.
He is commemorated in Thesium breyeri, Pavetta breyeri, Blepharis breyeri and former species in Warburgia, Disa, Barleria and Cleome. Breijer"s son, J.W.F. Breijer, served with the Systems, Applications and Products at Namutoni in South West Africa, and maintained a unique flora collection from that country.