1-157-205 - Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Lord Kelvin, Scottish physicist and mathematician, 1897. Born William Thomson, Lord Kelvin (1824-1907) was educated at Glasgow and Cambridge. He was Professor of Natural Philosophy (Physics) at the University of Glasgow for 53 years. Kelvin was a pioneer of thermodynamics and electromagnetic theory and devised the temperature scale that bears his name. He also directed work on the first transatlantic cable telegraph, which gave him considerable wealth. He was probably the first scientist to become wealthy through his work. Cartoon from Vanity Fair, London, 29 April 1897.