Andrew A. Bruère was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and received his medical training at the University of Edinburgh. He earned his M.B., Ch.B. in 1887, and proceeded to post-graduate study in Paris. He returned to Edinburgh to take his M.D. in 1890. In the same year, Bruère came to Canada, where he served as a pathologist to the Montreal Clinical Society until 1893, and as professor at Bishop's College Faculty of Medicine. He was director of laboratories (1899-1912) and bacteriologist (1899-1930) at Royal Victory Hospital. In 1906, Bruère joined McGill's Medical Faculty as lecturer in clinical medicine, a post he held until 1915. From 1916 until 1920, he was lecturer in bacteriology, and from 1920 until 1930 Assistant Professor. Bruère lectured in dermatology from 1931 to 1936.