Sir Robert Chapman
CHAPMAN, Robert, CMG (1866-1942)
Sir Robert Chapman made it his personal concern that engineering should be given professional status. He argued strongly that engineering should move beyond an apprenticeship approach to formal courses. Under his encouragement, joint courses, commenced in 1903, were developed by the University of Adelaide and the School of Mines and Industries. Degree courses in several branches of engineering, in particular Civil Engineering, were subsequently developed.
Chapman promoted professionalism as a founding member of the SA Institute of Engineers (1913) and as President of the Institution of Engineers Australia (1922). Many bodies benefited from his expertise, and he consulted on a wide range of projects including bridges, roads, jetties, railways and breakwaters.
Chapman was a council member of the University of Adelaide from 1919 (occasionally acting as vice chancellor), was president of the council of the School of Mines and Industries (1939 – 1942), was President of the SA Institute of Surveyors (1917-29) and a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society from 1909. He was awarded the Institution of Engineers Australia Peter Nicol Russell memorial medal (1928), and the (W. C.) Kernot memorial medal of the University of Melbourne (1931). He was added to the Engineers Australia South Australian Hall of Fame in 2006.
