He was son of Robert Brerewood, a wetglover, three times mayor of Chester, and was born and educated there at The King's School.
Then he migrated to St. Mary Hall, and on 26 September 1592, when Queen Elizabeth was at Oxford, he replied at a disputation in natural philosophy.
[2] Brerewood, who was a member of the Old Society of Antiquaries, died on 4 November 1613, and was buried in the church of Great St. Helen.
Enquiries touching the diversity of languages and religions, through the chief parts of the world (1614) was published after his death by Robert Brerewood.
According to Christopher Hill, "No one penetrated so deeply into the social issues involved in the Sabbatarian controversy".