Wallace Breem


Wallace Wilfred Swinburne Breem was a British librarian and author.
He was the Librarian and Keeper of Manuscripts of the Inner Temple Law Library. His writing included non-fiction pieces, but he is probably best known for his three historical novels, especially Eagle in the Snow.

Career

Breem was born in Kingston, Surrey and was educated at Westminster School.
At the age of 18, he entered the Indian Army’s Officers Training School . In 1945 he was commissioned as an officer of the Guides Cavalry, the elite cavalry regiment, serving on the North West Frontier in armoured cars.
In 1947, following the Partition of India, Breem returned to England and held a variety of jobs, which included: a labourer in a tannery, an assistant to a veterinary surgeon, and a rent-collector in the East End of London. He joined the library staff of the Inner Temple, in London, in 1950.
Breem was a founder member of BIALL, and at various times held the offices of: Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman, Vice-President, and President in that organization.

Legacy

In 1990, BIALL inaugurated the Wallace Breem Award in his memory.