Erwin Brecher was born in Budapest and studied mathematics, physics, engineering, and psychology in Vienna, Brno (Czechoslovakia), and London.

He joined the Czech army in 1938 and, after the Nazi occupation of Sudetenland, he escaped to England. Engaged in aircraft design during the war, he later entered the banking profession, from which he retired in 1984. Currently, he devotes his time to playing bridge and chess, and to writing books on scientific subjects or of puzzles, such as his recent Logical Thinking Puzzles. Surprising Science Puzzles encompasses several of his interests.

A member of Mensa, Erwin Brecher makes his home in London, England.