William Bragg attracts engineering giant Robert Chapman to Adelaide University; starts public lectures

Robert Chapman was another inspired choice by William Bragg to join him on the Adelaide University staff. Chapman succeed Bragg as Elder professor of mathematics and mechanics from 1910.
 

William Bragg’s lack of staff and equipment in his earliest times as Adelaide University professor of mathematics and experimental physics led to him making two inspired choices: Robert Chapman and Arthur Rogers.

In 1887, Bragg, who had only one part-time laboratory assistant on his staff, wrote to the university council seeking a qualified assistant. His request was granted only after William offered to provide one-third of the salary (£100) himself for the first two years.

Bragg recommended Robert Chapman as lecturer in mathematics and physics after an interview in Melbourne. Chapman would go on to became a powerhouse of engineering knowledge in South Australia. He became Adelaide University professor of engineering in 1907 and Elder professor of mathematics and mechanics from 1910 when William Bragg took over the Cavendish chair of physics at Leeds University.

Chapman, in his later work in lecturing at the School of Mines, was invaluable in supporting Bragg belief that universities should “act as the centre from which all education radiates”.  Another aspect of this was Bragg's lectures where science teachers were able to attend his lectures free of charge and country teachers were especially welcomed.

William also presented public lectures. The last of these was on the “mysterious X-rays”. It took place before his ground breaking research.
William’s other early problem, with equipment, was so dire he wrote to the University Council to ask for rubber tubing for the laboratory, desks or tables for the students to take notes, and books for the library. To overcome the lack of apparatus, William apprenticed himself to a company that would teach him how to make instruments.

This problem was overcome, with great success, in 1889 when Bragg was able to hire Arthur Rogers to become instrument maker in his laboratory.