Chapman, originally from Franklin, Kentucky, practiced law in Irvine, Kentucky, then Paris, Kentucky, then Lexington, Kentucky. He was married to Mary Chapman and had one daughter, Elizabeth.

In 1924 Chapman was elected to the United States House of Representatives and served two terms representing Kentucky's 7th Congressional District in the House, 1925-1929. In 1928 Chapman lost his House seat in the Republican landslide as Herbert Hoover was elected president. Chapman was ousted that year by Republican Robert E. Lee Blackburn but defeated Blackburn in a rematch two years later, in 1930. Chapman, re-elected to the House in 1930, served two terms, 1931-1935, representing the 7th district. Chapman then was elected to represent Kentucky's 6th district in the House and held that seat from 1935 through 1949.

In 1948 Chapman defeated incumbent John Sherman Cooper for a seat in the United States Senate. An automobile accident in Washington, DC killed Chapman on March 8, 1951. He was buried in the Paris Cemetery.

Oddly, Chapman was succeeded in both the House of Representatives and the Senate by Thomas R. Underwood.

Preceded by: Joseph W. Morris United States Representative, Kentucky 7th District 1925-1929 Succeeded by: Robert E. Lee Blackburn Preceded by: Robert E. Lee Blackburn United States Representative, Kentucky 7th District 1931-1935 Succeeded by: Andrew J. May Preceded by: Brent Spence United States Representative, Kentucky 6th District 1935-1949 Succeeded by: Thomas R. Underwood Preceded by: John Sherman Cooper United States Senator (Class 2) from Kentucky January 3, 1949-March 8, 1951 Succeeded by: Thomas R. Underwood