10 fun and interesting William Thomson facts

1. Lord Kelvin: Scientist & Engineer Extraordinaire

William Thomson, more commonly known as Lord Kelvin, was a renowned scientist and engineer who made a significant contribution to the field of thermodynamics. He is best remembered for his work in determining the correct value of absolute zero, the lowest temperature possible, but he also had a successful career as an electric telegraph engineer and inventor. He developed the mirror galvanometer, an instrument used to measure the strength of electric currents, and also invented the siphon recorder, a device used to record the movements of ships at sea. His work in thermodynamics and electricity earned him a knighthood in 1866 and a peerage in 1892.

Also → Joseph J. Thomson: Nobel Laureate Buried at Westminster Abbey

2. Lord Kelvin Buried Close to Sir Isaac Newton

William Thomson, more commonly known as Lord Kelvin, was a renowned physicist and mathematician who was buried close to the famous Sir Isaac Newton at Westminster Abbey in London. His burial is marked with a statue, a fitting tribute to his immense contributions to the scientific world. His work in thermodynamics, the kinetic theory of gases, and the absolute temperature scale are just a few of the many accomplishments that earned him a place of honor in the Abbey.

Also → James Prescott Joule: The Man Who Discovered the Joule-Thomson Effect

3. Lord Kelvin: From Scientist to Lord of the House

In 1892, William Thomson was bestowed with the title of Lord Kelvin and was subsequently inducted into the House of Lords, the upper chamber of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This title was in recognition of his immense contributions to the field of science, particularly in the areas of thermodynamics and electromagnetism. Lord Kelvin was a renowned physicist and mathematician, and his work had a profound impact on the development of modern science.

Also → William Hopkins Receives Wollaston Medal

4. 10-Year-Old William Thomson Begins Studies at Glasgow University

At the tender age of 10, William Thomson began his studies at Glasgow University in 1834, a remarkable feat for someone so young. His precociousness was evident even at this early age, and his studies at the university would eventually lead him to become one of the most influential scientists of the 19th century. Thomson went on to make groundbreaking discoveries in the fields of thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism, and was even knighted in 1892 for his contributions to science.

Also → Boltzmann's Contributions to Kinetic Theory

5. William Thomson's Escape from Grief

After the death of his beloved wife, William Thomson found solace in the sea, purchasing a sailboat named the Lalla Rookh in 1870. This vessel, named after a romantic poem by Thomas Moore, provided Thomson with a much-needed escape from the grief of his loss. He found a newfound passion in seafaring, and the Lalla Rookh became his refuge from the sorrow of his wife's passing.

Also → Sir William Ramsay honored with school in his name

6. William Thomson proposes to Fanny Blandy from sailboat

William Thomson was a man of great passion and resilience. Just four years after his first wife had passed away, he proposed to Fanny Blandy from a sailboat as they approached the harbor. His romantic gesture was a testament to his unwavering commitment to love and his ability to move forward despite the hardships of life.

Also → "Ampère: SI Unit of Electric Current"

7. Lord Kelvin's Compass Revolutionized Navigation

William Thomson, more commonly known as Lord Kelvin, was a renowned physicist and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of navigation. He was particularly renowned for his work on the compass, making adjustments to it to correct for errors caused by magnetic deviation. His work on the compass was so successful that it was adopted by the Royal Navy and used for over a century. His work on the compass revolutionized navigation and helped to make it much more accurate and reliable.

Also → Ernest Rutherford: A Pioneer in Science

8. 1st Pres. of Int'l Electrotechnical Comm.

William Thomson, the renowned physicist and mathematician, was elected as the first President of the International Electrotechnical Commission in 1906. This was a major milestone in his career, as the IEC is an international standards organization that develops and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. Thomson's election to this prestigious position was a testament to his expertise and influence in the field of electrical engineering.

Also → William Bayliss, Scientist

9. William Thomson awarded highest honors

William Thomson was an esteemed figure in his time, having been awarded the highest honors of the Imperial Order of the Rose, Legion of Hoor, and the Order of Leopold. These awards were bestowed upon him in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the fields of science and engineering. His achievements in these areas were so remarkable that he was even given the title of Commander of the Imperial Order of the Rose, Legion of Hoor, and the Order of Leopold, a title that is rarely awarded.

10. William Thomson's 400-year oxygen prediction proved wrong

In 1898, William Thomson made a startling prediction - that the Earth only had 400 years of oxygen left. Unfortunately, he was unaware of the many sources of photosynthesis that would replenish the oxygen supply, and his prediction was proven wrong. Nevertheless, his prediction was a stark reminder of the importance of understanding the natural processes that sustain life on Earth.