William Thomson (1824 - 1907)

Born 26 Jun 1824 in Belfast, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret Pattison (Crum) Thomson — married 14 Sep 1852 in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

Husband of Frances Anna (Blandy) Thomson — married 24 Jun 1874 in Madeira

Died 17 Dec 1907 at age 83 in Netherhall, Largs, North Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Biography

William Thomson is Notable.

William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, was an Irish mathematical physicist and engineer. He was born in Belfast in 1824 and attended the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Glasgow University and Cambridge University, where he gained a reputation as a precocious and gifted scientist. In 1846, at the age of 22, he was appointed to the chair of natural philosophy in the University of Glasgow, a post he held for over 50 years.

At the University of Glasgow he did important work in the mathematical analysis of electricity and formulation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, and did much to unify the emerging discipline of physics in its modern form. He is also widely known for determining the correct value of the lower limit to temperature (absolute zero); absolute temperatures are measured in units of Kelvin in his honour.

Thomson also became famous for his scientific work and inventions. In 1854, he began work on transatlantic telegraph cables, and participated in several cable-laying expeditions. An enthusiastic yachtsman, he made inventions and improvements in naval architecture and navigation. He also developed accurate methods for measuring electricity and contributed to electrical standardization.

He married twice; first to his childhood sweetheart Margaret Crum, who died in 1870 after many years of poor health, and second to Fanny Blandy of Madeira in 1874. No issue.

Thomson was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1866 in recognition of his achievements, and ennobled in 1892, becoming Baron Kelvin (after the River Kelvin in Glasgow). He was the first British scientist to be elevated to the House of Lords.

He died in 1907 in Netherhall, his home in Largs, and is buried in Westminster Abbey next to Isaac Newton.

Sources

• Harold I. Sharlin (December 13, 2019). "William Thomson, Baron Kelvin". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Thomson-Baron-Kelvin (accessed August 22, 2023).
• Wikipedia contributors, "Lord Kelvin," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lord_Kelvin&oldid=1171256286 (accessed August 22, 2023).
• Wikidata: Item Q122701, en:Wikipedia
• J J O'Connor and E F Robertson (October 2003). "William Thomson (Lord Kelvin)", School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, Scotland, https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Thomson/ (accessed August 22, 2023)
• Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.,The Britannica Guide to 100 Most Influential Scientists: The Most Important Scientists from Ancient Greece to the Present Day. Kara Roberts, ed. Britannica Educational Publishing: New York, 2010. pp.192-194.
• Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
  Find A Grave: Memorial #13534679 (accessed 23 August 2023)
  Memorial page for William Thomsen Kelvin (26 Jun 1824-17 Dec 1907), citing Westminster Abbey, Westminster, City of Westminster, Greater London, England (plot: In the central aisle of the Nave.); Maintained by Find a Grave.
• Cenotaph: Find a Grave (has image)
  Find A Grave: Memorial #147582044 (accessed 23 August 2023)
  Memorial page for William Thomson (24 Jun 1824-17 Dec 1907), citing Glasgow Necropolis, Glasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland; Maintained by Grave Content (contributor 48564749).