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.

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Details

Chronology

1941
Education - BE, University of Western Australia
1942 - 1943
Career position - Research engineer, de Havilland Aircraft Company, Sydney
1943 - 1945
Career position - Served as pilot with the RAAF
1946 - 1947
Career position - Research Engineer, de Haviland Aircraft Company, United Kingdom
1948 - 1952
Career position - Lecturer in Mathematics, University of Sydney
1951
Education - BSc (hons), University of Sydney
1955
Education - 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 - 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

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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

Helen Cohn

Created: 13 March 2018, Last modified: 3 July 2018

EOAS ID: biogs/P005986b.htm

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