William Bragg bridges divide between School of Mines and Adelaide University over shared advanced courses
Future Nobel laureate Professor William Bragg was uniquely, a member of the councils of both Adelaide University and the School of Mines and Industries from 1890.
Image courtesy State Library of South Australia
Future Nobel laureate and Adelaide University’s as Elder professor of mathematics and experimental physics, William Bragg showed his tact and growing breadth of vision by being, uniquely, a member of the disputing councils of both Adelaide University and the School of Mines and Industries. The rivalry between the school and university became sometimes acrimonious especially in regard to teaching advanced courses at the school.
Future Nobel laureate, Bragg, as Adelaide University’s as Elder professor of mathematics and experimental physics was in the middle of this dispute.
The School of Mines and Industries grew out of the many mechanics’ institutes that provided early elementary technical education in South Australia. By the 1880s, many people saw a need for a centre for technical study. A drought, agricultural decline and the need to develop mining and industry heightened this need.
Without public secondary education, a big gap grew between education at primary schools and the university. An ideological undercurrent also sought opportunity for the socially disadvantaged. After a report from a board of enquiry, the Tom Playford II government ministry set up the South Australian School of Mines and Industries in 1888.
The famous Charles Todd – William Bragg's father in law – was an early nominee for the school’s council president but withdrew in favour of John Langdon Bonython who was a council member and president for 50 years
In 1890, Adelaide University nominated Professor Bragg to fill a vacancy on the council of the School of Mines left by Dr Edward Stirling. William remained a valued member until he left Australia in 1909.
From the start, School of Mines’ students attended physics, electrical engineering and other classes at the university, but they were often hampered by a lack of basic knowledge. Preparatory courses were progressively introduced.
Bragg believed in a broad general education for the whole community but also equally in the intellectual primacy of the university. He agreed to requests from the School of Mines for the university to provide engineering courses, with invaluable input from Robert Chapman, although staff and resources at the university were exceptionally low.
