James Clerk Maxwell

13 June 1831 – 5 November 1879

James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) was a Scottish physicist whose theory of electromagnetism unified electricity, magnetism, and light as manifestations of the same phenomenon. His Maxwell's equations are regarded as one of the greatest achievements in physics, and he also made foundational contributions to statistical mechanics, color theory, and the study of Saturn's rings.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with James Clerk Maxwell.

Life events

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland
13 June 1831

James Clerk Maxwell was born at 14 India Street, Edinburgh, and spent much of his childhood at the family estate of Glenlair in Kirkcudbrightshire.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Studied at the University of Edinburgh
1847 – 1850

Maxwell enrolled at the University of Edinburgh at age 16, studying natural philosophy, mathematics, and logic.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Studied at the University of Cambridge
1850 – 1854

Maxwell moved to Cambridge, graduating from Trinity College as second wrangler in 1854 and being elected a fellow of Trinity in 1855.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed professor at Marischal College, Aberdeen
1856 – 1860

At age 25, Maxwell became Professor of Natural Philosophy at Marischal College in Aberdeen.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Katherine Mary Dewar
2 June 1858

Maxwell married Katherine Mary Dewar, daughter of the principal of Marischal College, who later assisted him in his experimental work.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became professor at King's College London and produced the first colour photograph
1860 – 1865

While Professor of Natural Philosophy at King's College London, Maxwell demonstrated the first durable colour photograph, an image of a tartan ribbon, in 1861.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published 'A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field'
1865

Maxwell's paper set out the equations of electromagnetism and proposed that light is an electromagnetic wave.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became first Cavendish Professor of Physics at Cambridge
1871

Maxwell was appointed the first Cavendish Professor and oversaw the design and construction of the Cavendish Laboratory, which opened in 1874.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published 'A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism'
1873

Maxwell published his comprehensive two-volume treatise, which became the foundational text of classical electromagnetism.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Cambridge, England
5 November 1879

Maxwell died of abdominal cancer at age 48 and was buried at Parton Kirk in Galloway, Scotland.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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