Edgar Chapman

Edgar Chapman
Born	1831 England
Died	11 September 1886
Occupation(s)	Brewer, entrepreneur, theatre proprietor
Known for	Management of West End Brewery, ownership and reconstruction of Theatre Royal, Adelaide

Edgar Chapman (1831 – 11 September 1886) was a prominent brewer and entrepreneur based in Adelaide, South Australia, known for his significant association with the Theatre Royal.

History

James Chapman, originally a tailor and draper from Kent, England, relocated to South Australia with his family in 1850. He established a drapery business on Hindley Street, which was then the leading commercial district in Adelaide.

In 1865, Edgar Chapman entered into a business partnership with W. K. Simms under the name Simms & Chapman to manage the West End Brewery, which Simms had acquired in 1861. This collaboration lasted until 1879.

Chapman survived a maritime disaster in 1871 when the steamer Auckland was wrecked near Victoria’s coastline.

He later diversified his investments by acquiring commercial real estate on Hindley Street. In 1876, he purchased the Theatre Royal along with its adjoining hotel and retail outlets for £11,000. Chapman then engaged architect George R. Johnson to undertake a comprehensive reconstruction of the theatre at an estimated cost of £20,000, leading to its reopening in March 1878.

Before embarking on a European trip in 1878, Chapman received diamond studs valued at £250 from notable local figures as a mark of esteem. During his travels, he arranged theatrical performances for Australian audiences and secured a lease for London's Drury Lane Theatre to stage an Australian production of Henry V featuring George Rignold.

Chapman also owned Kallioota Station, situated north of Port Augusta, covering an area of 102 square miles and supporting a livestock population of approximately 10,000 sheep and 800 cattle.

His property portfolio on Hindley Street extended beyond the Theatre Royal complex to include the Eagle Tavern and several retail shops.

Charles E. and Harry A. Chapman, his sons, managed Mundowdna Station but were forced into insolvency as a means to address debts owed to their father.

After enduring prolonged ill health, Chapman passed away; his estate was valued at £59,000, equivalent to roughly $10 million today.

Arthur Chapman, Edgar’s brother, had been managing his affairs since 1883 and took charge of the estate following Edgar’s death. By 1885, Arthur became co-lessee of the Theatre Royal alongside Rignold and Allison; after their departure later that year, he assumed sole management until Wybert Reeve succeeded him in 1887. Arthur was responsible for significant theatre renovations in 1905 costing £4,000 and oversaw a major reconstruction between 1913 and 1914 with expenses totaling £21,000.

Other interests

In 1877, Chapman was appointed as a Justice of the Peace.

He demonstrated a keen passion for horse racing and served as a steward at Victoria Park's "Old Course."

Chapman's engagement with theatre went beyond investment; he occasionally took part as an actor, notably portraying "King Artexomines" in Rhodes' Bombastes Furioso during 1880.

In 1882, he commissioned several landscape paintings from artist H. J. Johnstone.

Family

James Chapman (1804 – 15 June 1879) married Mary Stanford (1804 – September 1895). Their offspring included:

• Stanford Chapman (1829 – 8 October 1905), who wed Martha Moon in London in 1854. He joined Virgoe, Son in 1865 to form Virgoe, Son & Chapman with operations extending to Melbourne and Sydney; he resided initially in Hawthorn and later in Kew, Victoria.

• • Alice Mary Chapman (1855–1911), married John Donaldson from Victoria
  • Horace Marchent Chapman (born 1860)
  • Edith Annie Chapman (born 1863), married William St. Clair in 1889
  • Herbert Henry Chapman (1868–1912), born in Victoria

• Edgar Chapman (1831 – 11 September 1886), married Frances Rachael Kelsh in 1853.

• • Charles Edgar Chapman (1854–1920), married Margaret Teresa Chapman
  • Clara Mary Chapman (1856–1925), married Clement Ferdinand Vaux Rainsford in 1882
  • Harry Albert Chapman (born 1858), sheep farmer who declared insolvency in 1883
  • Emma Victoria Chapman (born 1860)
  • Edgar Stanford Chapman (1862–1872), who died tragically at West Terrace brewery
  • Fanny Emily Chapman (1863–1886), married Edward Headly Hallack in 1885
  • Lily Kate Chapman (born 1865), married James Cunningham in 1890

• Albert Chapman (1834 – 21 June 1902) resided in Paddington, Sydney

• Emma Chapman (1836 – 15 November 1896)

• Arthur Chapman (1838 – 8 May 1909) married Sarah Bullock in 1863; she was daughter of John Bullock.

• • Frederick Arthur Chapman (1864–1925), affiliated with Lion Brewing and Malting Company
    • Stanley Irwin Chapman (1892–1940), also connected to Lion Brewing and Malting Co.
  • Laura Simmons Chapman (1865–1946), married Arthur White in 1901
  • Percy James Chapman (1866–1946), married Mabel Adelaide Barnfield
  • Arthur Ernest Chapman (1868–1890)
  • Nina Blanche Chapman (1874–1952), married Frederick Charles Sach in 1911
  • Frank Burley "Jack" Chapman (1877–1917), killed during WWI; married Agnes

• Mary Chapman (1840–1910)

• Louisa Chapman (1844 – 25 September 1883) lived with her mother on King William Street south