Born in Chester to John Brerewood (1560 - 1599), the Sheriff of Chester in 1598, and his wife Mary Perry ( - 1592), Robert was Christened on 10 January 1588.In 1605, he was sent to Brasenose College, Oxford and later to the Middle Temple. He was called to bar on 13 November 1615, and practised for 22 years.
He also published his uncle Edward Brerewood's (1565 – 1613) work.In 1615, Robert married Anne Mainwaring ( - 1630), daughter of Sir Randle Mainwaring ( - 1632) and Jane Smith of Over Peover. He had the following children with Anne:
- Robert Brerewood (1620 – 1623)
- Jane Brerewood (1621 - )
- Thomas Brerewood (1623 – 1624)
- Elizabeth Brerewood (1624 - )
- John Brerewood (1616 – 1700), who married Sydney Gamul (1635 – 1666)
Anne died in 1630, and Robert then married Katherine Lee ( - 1691), daughter of Sir Richard Lee of Lee and Darnall. He had the following children with Katherine:
- Henry Brerewood (1635 – after 1703)
- Thomas Brerewood (1640 – 1641)
- Robert Brerewood (1643 )
- Elizabeth Brerewood (1634 – died young)
- Elizabeth Brerewood (1636/7 - )
- Edward Brerewood (1634 )
- William Brerewood (1638 - )
- Francis Brerewood (1641 - ), who became Treasurer of Christ’s Hospital, London.
In 1637, Robert was appointed a judge in north Wales, and a reader of the Middle Temple in 1638.In 1639, he became Recorder of Chester.
In April 1640, Robert was returned as Member of Parliament for Chester in the Short Parliament.
He was also appointed Serjeant-at-Law and King's Serjeant. He was knighted by Charles I in 1643, and became Judge of the Common Pleas.
He retired to Chester after Charles' execution in 1649.
Sir Robert died on 8 April 1654, and was buried the following day at St Mary’s on the Hill Church, Chester.
