Robert William Chapman

Sir Robert William Chapman MIEAust (27 December 1866 – 27 February 1942) was an Australian mathematician and engineer.

History Chapman was born in Stony Stratford in Buckinghamshire, England, eldest son of Charles Chapman (c. 1838 – 14 September 1921), a currier from Melbourne, Australia, and his wife Matilda, née Harrison (c. 1840 – 23 October 1933). His parents returned to Melbourne in 1876, where he was educated at Wesley College and the University of Melbourne, graduating MA and BCE with first class honours in Physics and Mathematics.

In 1888, at the recommendation of Professor William Bragg, he was appointed a lecturer in Mathematics and Physics at Adelaide University. He was appointed Professor of Engineering in 1907 and served as (Sir Thomas) Elder Professor of Mathematics and Mechanics from 1910 when Professor Bragg was appointed to the Cavendish chair of physics in the University of Leeds. Chapman then returned to his previous post in 1919. He frequently served as Vice-Chancellor (in an acting capacity) during the absence of Sir William Mitchell. He retired in 1937. He was appointed president of the School of Mines council in 1939 on the death of Sir Langdon Bonython.

His research work included: (With Thomas Roberts (1845–1920)) Breakage of locomotive and other railway axles Established a laboratory where local stone and timber could be tested Distribution of stress in steel reinforcing rods in concrete Effects of building a dam on the Mundoo Channel, Lake Alexandrina Use of brown coal from Leigh Creek, including briquettes

Recognition and memberships He was elected to the Royal Society of South Australia in 1888 and to the Australian Association for the Advancement of Science.

He was a founding member of the South Australian Institute of Engineers and a foundation member of the Institution of Engineers Australia in 1921, in 1918 the first chairman of its South Australian division and the third Federal President. He was awarded their Peter Nicol Russell Memorial Medal in 1928 and made honorary life member in 1932.

He was awarded Melbourne University's Kernot Medal in 1927.

He was president of the Astronomical Society of South Australia for a record 32 years and elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1902? 1909?.

He was a member of the South Australian Institute of Surveyors from 1912 and president 1917–1929 Eva Florence Chapman (5 December 1893 – ) married Essington Day on 19 March 1919, lived at Burnside Lilian Eleanor Chapman (1895–1975) married Edgar Bills of Orroroo on 4 October 1922, lived at Peterborough Walter Harrison Chapman (1896– ) of Bulolo, New Guinea James Douglas Chapman (1901–1948) married Gwendolen Ruth Johnston on 7 January 1929. He was an engineer with the Adelaide City Council Ernest Stirling Chapman (1907– ), was a dentist in Clare Leslie Drake Chapman (8 December 1911– ) engaged to Ellen Rose McBeath. He was engineer associated with the Goolwa barrage.