Sir William Chandler Roberts-Austen was a prominent British metallurgist born in 1843. He is best known for his work in the field of metallurgy, particularly for his research on the properties of metals and alloys. His studies contributed significantly to the understanding of phase diagrams, which are essential for predicting how different materials behave under various conditions. In addition to his research, Roberts-Austen served as the director of the Royal School of Mines and was instrumental in advancing the study of materials science. He was knighted in 1897 for his contributions to science and education, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of metallurgy.