Adolph Brewster facts for kids

Adolph Brewster (born 1855, died 1937) was a British official who worked in Fiji. He helped manage the country when it was a British colony.

Early Life and Work

Adolph Brewster was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1855. His original name was Adolph Brewster Joske. He went to school in England.

Moving to Fiji

Later, he returned to Australia and joined a company. This company wanted to buy land in Fiji from its leader, Cakobau, to grow cotton. In 1870, Brewster moved to Fiji. He started a large farm called a sugar plantation in the Suva area. He also built the very first sugar mill in Fiji.

Government Service

In 1884, Brewster started working for the government in Fiji. This is often called the "civil service."

Important Roles

He held important jobs like Commissioner of Colo East and Colo North. These roles meant he was in charge of certain areas. He was also the Deputy Commissioner of the Armed Native Constabulary. This was a police force made up of local people.

Joining the Legislative Council

On 10 July 1902, he married Alice Caroline Stracey Tyler. This happened in St Stephen's Church in Bath, England, during a visit. In 1908, the Governor of Fiji chose him to join the Legislative Council. This council helped make laws for the colony.

Retirement and Later Life

Brewster retired from his government work in 1910. After retiring, he officially changed his name. He replaced his father's last name, Joske, with his mother's maiden name, Brewster.

Writing Books

He moved to Bath, England, after retirement. There, he wrote two books about his experiences in Fiji. These books were Hill Tribes of Fiji (published in 1922) and King of the Cannibal Isles (published in 1937).

Final Years

Adolph Brewster passed away in London in October 1937. His wife, Alice, lived a very long life. She died in 1982 at the age of 111. At that time, she was the oldest person in the United Kingdom.