Robert Henry Bragg Jr.

Robert Henry “Pete” Bragg Jr. (August 11, 1919 – October 2, 2017), was a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the UC Berkeley College of Engineering.

Bragg served in the military during World War II, and then used the money allotted to him from the G.I. Bill to attend Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), and pursue a career in physics.[1] He earned his PhD in Physics from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1960, and worked for Palo Alto Research Laboratory for the Lockheed Missiles and Space Company from 1960-1969. In 1969, the University of California at Berkeley hired him as a full professor.[2] His research was in the areas of X-ray crystallography, eutectic solidification, and the properties of carbon materials.[3] He retired from the Berkeley faculty in 1987, after a career that included service as Department Chair from 1987 to 1981.[4] At the time he was one of six black faculty members. He was not related to the British Bragg family of scientists.

In retirement, he was awarded a Fulbright fellowship to conduct research at the University of Ife in Nigeria, and developed an exhibit for the Museum of African American Technology in Oakland.[5]