Mathematician:William Thomson

Mathematician
British mathematical physicist and engineer who did important work in: Received a knighthood from for his work on the development of the transatlantic electric telegraph project.
 * the mathematical analysis of electricity
 * formulation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics
 * unification of the discipline of modern physics

Nationality
Northern Irish

History

 * Born: 26 June 1824 in Belfast, Ireland
 * Died: 17 December 1907 in Netherhall (near Largs), Ayrshire, Scotland

Theorems and Definitions

 * Kelvin-Stokes Theorem (with )
 * Kelvin (the SI base unit of temperature)
 * Kelvin Transform
 * Kelvin Function
 * Joule-Thomson Effect (with ) (also known as Joule-Kelvin Effect or Kelvin-Joule Effect)

Publications

 * 1840: Essay on the Figure of the Earth
 * 1841: Fourier's expansions of functions in trigonometrical series
 * 1842: On the uniform motion of heat and its connection with the mathematical theory of electricity
 * 1856: Dynamical illustrations of the magnetic and helicoidal rotary effects of transparent bodies on polarised light
 * 1867: On vortex motion
 * 1867: (with )

Notable Quotes

 * A single curve, drawn in the manner of the curve of prices of cotton, describes all that the ear can possibly hear as the result of the most complicated musical performance ... That to my mind is a wonderful proof of the potency of mathematics.
 * -- Quoted in : They Say: What Say They? : Let Them Say


 * Mathematics is the only good metaphysics.
 * -- Quoted in : They Say: What Say They? : Let Them Say

Also known as
William Thomson is also (perhaps better) known as Lord Kelvin.

Full name and title: Sir William Thomson, $1$st Baron Kelvin.