William Lawrence Bragg: Pioneer in X-ray Crystallography and Nobel Laureate
Early Life and Education:
William Lawrence Bragg was born on March 31, 1890, in Adelaide, South Australia. He came from a family with a strong interest in science and education. His father, Sir William Henry Bragg, was a professor of mathematics and physics, and his mother, Gwendoline Todd, was an accomplished artist.
Bragg’s early education took place at Queen’s School in North Adelaide, where his father was the headmaster. Recognizing his son’s scientific aptitude, Sir William Henry Bragg provided Lawrence with a rich learning environment, fostering his interest in physics and mathematics.
In 1905, at the age of 15, Lawrence Bragg entered the University of Adelaide. He excelled in his studies, and by the age of 18, he completed his bachelor’s degree with first-class honors in mathematics.
Cambridge and World War I:
In 1909, Lawrence Bragg received a scholarship to study at Trinity College, Cambridge, under the supervision of Sir J.J. Thomson, the discoverer of the electron. Bragg’s early research focused on the ionization of gases, and he quickly gained recognition for his scientific abilities.
When World War I broke out, Bragg interrupted his academic career to contribute to the war effort. He served as a technical officer in the Royal Artillery, where his expertise in sound-ranging technology proved valuable for locating enemy artillery.
Bragg’s Law and X-ray Crystallography:
After the war, Lawrence Bragg returned to Cambridge and resumed his research. In collaboration with his father, Sir William Henry Bragg, they developed what became known as Bragg’s Law. This law provided a mathematical relationship between the angles of X-ray beams scattered by a crystal lattice, laying the foundation for X-ray crystallography.
In 1915, Lawrence Bragg became the youngest person ever to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, sharing the honor with his father. The Braggs’ groundbreaking work revolutionized the study of crystal structures and contributed significantly to our understanding of the arrangement of atoms in solids.
Academic Career and Leadership:
Lawrence Bragg continued to make significant contributions to X-ray crystallography, and in 1937, he became the Cavendish Professor of Experimental Physics at the University of Cambridge. He played a crucial role in establishing the Medical Research Council Unit for the Study of the Molecular Structure of Biological Systems, focusing on the application of X-ray crystallography to biological molecules.
During World War II, Bragg again contributed to military research, working on the development of radar technology. After the war, he served as the Director of the Cavendish Laboratory and later as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London.
Later Life and Legacy:
In 1965, Lawrence Bragg was appointed a life peer, taking the title Baron Bragg of Wigton. He remained active in scientific research and international scientific organizations, advocating for peaceful applications of atomic energy.
Lawrence Bragg passed away on July 1, 1971, in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. His legacy lives on through the widespread applications of X-ray crystallography in various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, and materials science. The technique he pioneered has been instrumental in determining the three-dimensional structures of numerous molecules, including important biological macromolecules like DNA and proteins.
