David Jonathan Bromer, whose quiet intellect took him from a career in the sciences to an avocation in the world of rare books, succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease on November 25, 2021. He was 80 years old.
Raised in Miami Beach by Charles and Florence Bromer, David came to the Boston area in 1958 to study at MIT, where he would go on to earn an Sc.D in metallurgy in 1966. More significantly, coming to Boston allowed him to meet Anne Epstein, who became his wife in 1962, and remained the center of his world for the next 59 years. Together, the couple lived in Watertown for 42 years, and then split their time between Nahant and Boston.
David’s background in metallurgy led to a career in his field, first at Raytheon, then Gillette. However, he discovered his true calling with Anne when the couple entered the field of rare books, launching Bromer Booksellers from their rented apartment in Watertown in 1968. The business continued out of their home in Watertown; and it remains in operation at its current location in Copley Square, where it has been since 1980. Together, the Bromers traveled the world in pursuit of beautiful and important books; published thirteen exquisitely printed miniature books under their own imprint; and actively worked toward the betterment of the book world, serving in a variety of roles for organizations such as the Society of Printers, the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America, and the Associates of the Boston Public Library.
In 2011, David published Aun Aprendo—the first comprehensive descriptive bibliography of the works of Aldous Huxley—the culmination of a lifelong interest in the British writer and thinker, who wrote every day of his adult life. Like Huxley, David sought to understand the world around him through his work, study, and experience.
Politically progressive, he engaged directly in the social issues of his time, including civil rights and affordable housing. He was appointed Chairman of the Watertown Housing Authority by then-Governor Michael Dukakis in 1975, and, together with Anne, supported the Women’s Lunch Place in Boston for many years. David was a lifelong subscriber to The Nation, devouring every issue from cover-to-cover.
In addition to Anne, David is survived by the couple’s daughter, Juliet, her husband, Joshua Hauser, and two grandchildren, Jonathan and Emily; his sister, Ruth Bromer, and brother, Peter Bromer.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in David’s memory to The Nation at https://www.thenation.com/fr-website-donate and Women’s Lunch Place at https://womenslunchplace.org/donate.