James Clerk Maxwell, 1831-1879
| Maxwell's investigations in physics led him from describing, at
fourteen, in a paper which was read to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a
method for constructing perfect oval curves, through work on colour
sensation to the kinetic theory of gases and - with a brilliant hypothesis
that light and electro-magnetism are of the same ultimate nature, both
being electro-magnetic radiations - his most notable work on electricity,
which culminated in his Treatise on electricity and magnetism in 1873.
This work includes the renowned Maxwell equations, expressing the
continuous nature of electric and magnetic fields and the principle by
which changes in one field produce changes in the other, which are today
the foundation of the physics of electricity and magnetism as well as of
light and radio waves.
Maxwell moved from the chair of natural philosophy at Marischal
College, Aberdeen, in 1860 to be professor of physics and astronomy at King's
College, London, but retired in 1865 (at 34!) to his family estate at Glenlair
in Kirkcudbrightshire. In 1871, however, he was urged to accept
the newly-founded chair of experimental physics at Cambridge, and there he
supervised the building of the Cavendish laboratories.
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1 August 1857 (MS Kelvin M7)
"... I have been brewing at Saturn’s Rings with infusion of your letters
for a month... On the whole I should not recommend anyone to feu a
building stance on any of the Rings without security that his
parallelograms may not be spun out into spirals of unknown extent in a few
hours. Arctic ice packs are more secure in comparison. As for the men of
Saturn, I should recommend them to go by tunnel when they cross the
‘line’..."
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30 January 1858 (MS Kelvin M11)
"... I have been lecturing on statical electricity to the second year,
and next week I shall have half a dozen to study ‘electrical images’ over
a cup of tea..." |
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11 September 1863 (MS Kelvin M15)
"... I have been working at the theory of induction of currents on
themselves... I send a photograph and shall be much obliged for one of you..."
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27 Feb 1866 (MS Kelvin M19)"... In working at the dynamical theory of gases I have come on the
following paradox, which I intend to think about, but I should be obliged
to you for the benefit of your views..."
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28 September 1868 (MS Kelvin M25)"... Can you get me a ticket or two to see the laying of the foundation
of the new College?..."
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30 October 1868 (MS Kelvin M29)"... I got your letter
about [applying to be Principal of] St Andrew's. One great objection
is the East Wind which I believe is severe in those parts. Another is
that my proper sphere is in working not in governing, still less in
reigning and letting others govern... "
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