Brewer, born in Norwich to a Baptist schoolmaster, was matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford in 1827, before being ordained in the Church of England in 1837.
Brewer was born in Norwich, the son of a Baptist schoolmaster. He matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford in 1827, graduating B.A. in 1833, M.A. 1835. He was ordained in the Church of England in 1837, and became chaplain to a central London workhouse. 
