Person
Brearley, Maurice Norman (Maurie) (1920 - 2013)
- Born
- 21 January 1920
Perth, Western Australia, Australia - Died
- 29 May 2013
Geelong, Victoria, Australia - Occupation
- Inventor and Mathematician
Summary
Maurie Brearley was Professor of Mathematics at the Point Cook RAAF Academy, University of Melbourne, from 1966 to 1985 having come to mathematics from engineering. The focus of his research interests was on wave motion, vibrations, aeroplane and parachute flight in wind, and the design of mechanical aids for disabled people. His mathematical and engineering training coincided with the invention of devices as varied as a stair-climbing wheelchair, an oscillating wave mattress for the iron lung and the rocking rigid pendulum. In retirement Brearley continued his research as Adjunct Professor at Bond University.
Details
Chronology
- 1941
- Education - Bachelor of Engineering (BE), University of Western Australia
- 1942 - 1943
- Career position - Research engineer, de Havilland Aircraft Company, Sydney
- 1943 - 1945
- Military service - Second World War. Served as pilot with the RAAF
- 1946 - 1947
- Career position - Research Engineer, de Havilland Aircraft Company, United Kingdom
- 1948 - 1952
- Career position - Lecturer in Mathematics, University of Sydney
- 1951
- Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc(Hons)), University of Sydney
- 1955
- Education - Master of Arts (MA), University of Cambridge
- 1955 - 1965
- Career position - Senior Lecturer in Mathematics, University of Adelaide
- 1956 - 2013
- Career position - Founding Member, Australian Mathematical Society
- 1958
- Education - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Adelaide
- 1966 - 1985
- Career position - Professor of Mathematics, Point Cook RAAF Academy, University of Melbourne
- 1985
- Life event - Retired
- 1985 - 2013
- Career position - Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, University of Melbourne
- 1990 - 2011
- Career position - Adjunct Professor, Bond University
Related entries
Published resources
Journal Articles
- de Mestre, Neville, 'Maurice Norman Brearley 21 January 1920 - 29 May 2013', Gazette of the Australian Mathematical Society, 40 (3) (2013), 92-3. Details
Resources
- CA 778, Air Services Branch; CA 35, Department of Air, Central Office, 'NAA: A9300, BREARLEY M', A9300 RAAF Officers Personnel files, 1921-1948, National Archives of Australia, RecordSearch, https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=5377561. Details
- 'Brearley, Maurice N (19200121-20130529)', Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, https://nla.gov.au/nla.party-615154. Details
Helen Cohn
Created: 13 March 2018, Last modified: 3 July 2018