X-raysBraggs

Lawrence Bragg pushes X-ray crystallography, started in Adelaide by his father William, to help unveil DNA helix

Lawrence Bragg pushes X-ray crystallography, started in Adelaide by his father William, to help unveil DNA helix
X-ray crystallography work by father and son William and Lawrence Bragg (inset), started at Adelaide University, had important sequels such as the unveiling of DNA.  At Cambridge University, Lawrence Bragg helped create a Cavendish Laboratory research group, including Francis Crick and James Watson, who identified DNA’s double helix.

Lawrence Bragg in England in the 20th Century would extend the work with X-rays to reveal atomic structures, started by his father William as Elder professor of mathematics and experimental physics (1896 to 1908) at Adelaide University in South Australia.

Lawrence, who had been tutored by his father at Adelaude University before moving to Cambridge University, shared the 1915 Nobel Prize in prysics with his father "for their services in the analysis of crystal structure by means of X-rays”.

At 25, the youngest Nobel laureate, Lawrence Bragg received the Military Cross for service in World War I.

In 1919, Lawrence Bragg was appointed Langworthy professor of physics at Victoria University, Manchester. Here he fostered a school of X-ray crystallography devoted mainly to studying of inorganic structures, notably silicates, metals and alloys.

In 1921 at Cambridge, he married Alice Grace Jenny Hopkinson who pursued a successful municipal career. (His grandmother Alice, wife of famous Charles Todd, South Australia's astronomer and meteorologist, telegraphs department superintendent and postmaster general, who named Alice Springs in her honour.)

In 1937, Lawrence Bragg became director of the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, but a year later succeeded Ernest Rutherford as Cavendish professor of experimental physics at Cambridge University. Here, he joined the attack upon the structures of the proteins, haemoglobin and myoglobin.

After serving again in World War II, Lawrence started applying X-rays to proteins, and helped create a research group at Cambridge University's Cavendish Laboratory.

The group investigated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Lawrence Bragg oversaw Francis Crick and James Watson, who identified DNA’s double helix. Lawrence Bragg's X-ray crystallography was key to understanding many chemicals, including silicon: the basis of computer chips. DNA unlocked genetic evolution and molecular biology.

In 1954, Lawrence Bragg was appointed to the positions earlier held by his father William at the Royal Institution. At his retirement in 1966 he had seen the subject of X-ray crystallography, pioneered by his father and himself, grow from unveiling the structures of the simplest crystals to that of enormously complicated molecules containing thousands of atoms.

He visited Australia in 1960 and spoke at  Adelaide University of the latest triumphs of crystallography. He also received the Hughes, Royal and Copley medals of the Royal Society. He died in 1971.

Other related ADELAIDE AZ articles

The basic concept of X-ray crystallography that continued to be central of the work of William and Lawrence Bragg in England after their time in South Australia and Adelaude University.
Braggs >
William Bragg furthers X-ray crystallography in England, building on prized work (1896-1908) at Adelaide University
READ MORE+
Dr Richard Sanders Rogers (left), at 34, with South Australia's first X-ray machine used at his Adelaide private practic knowledge of Australian orchids (top right), World War I commander of 7th Australian Base Hospital at Adelaide's Keswick barracks, and visiting (holding bag)  a Kangaroo Island family in 1902.e from 1896. His other contributions included
Health >
Dr Richard Rogers an extraordinary South Australian polymath: first with X-ray machine at his medical practice
READ MORE+
The Adelaide University workshop where Arthur Rogers created crucial instruments for William Bragg's research.
Braggs >
Arthur Rogers' skill as instrument maker a key to William Bragg's early work with X-rays at Adelaide University
READ MORE+
A concept for Micro-X's lightweight mobile stroke scanner, suited to be used in an ambulance and medical response plane. Image courtesy Micro-X
X-rays >
Micro-X has Flinders University biomed students involved on its light mobile stroke scanner X-ray project
READ MORE+
Samuel Way, chief justice of South Australia and University of Adelaide chancellor. Image courtesy State Library of South Australia
Justice >
William Bragg meets life-long friend Alfred Lendon and chief justice Samuel Way soon after arriving in Adelaide
READ MORE+
A Crooke's tube, similar to the one used by William Bragg for his X rays demonstration in Adelaide in 1896.
Braggs >
Charles Todd joins Adelaide community effort supporting William Bragg's X rays demonstration in 1896
READ MORE+

 

 
©2025 Adelaide AZ | Privacy | Terms & Disclaimer | PWA 1.1.58