William Thomson

It’s the birthday of William Thomson, who was born in 1824 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Thomson studied mathematics and physics at Cambridge University. At the age of 22 he was appointed physics professor at Glasgow University. Although Thomson had wide interests, including electromagnetism, his research focused on establishing a mathematical framework for thermodynamics, including its first and second laws and the absolute temperature scale. His theoretical interest in electromagnetism became a practical one, when in the 1850s, he served as a consultant on a proposed transatlantic telegraph cable. The eventually successful project was completed in 1858. Queen Victoria knighted Thomson for his role in the project. Later, in1892, she enobled him, and Thomson became known as Lord Kelvin.

Date in History: 26 June 1824