Thomson, William, 1824-1907 (Baron Kelvin of Largs, mathematician and physicist)
Person
Dates
- Existence: 1824 - 1907
Biography
William Thomson, Lord Kelvin (1824-1907), scientist and inventor, studied at Glasgow University from 1834, before entering Peterhouse, Cambridge, in 1841, where he was a fellow, 1846-1856 and 1872-1907. He was professor of natural philosophy in Glasgow, 1846-1899; president of the mathematical and physical section of the British Association at Glasgow, 1876; and chancellor of Glasgow University, 1904. He also helped to found the the firm Kelvin&White, Ltd., Glasgow, which he used to manufacture his inventions. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1851, and served as president from 1890 to1894. He was knighted in 1866 and created baron in 1892. Between 1851 and 1854 Thomson formulated the two great laws of thermodynamics, equivalence and transformation. In 1853 he developed the theory of electric oscillations, which was to form the basis of wireless telegraphy, and he superintended the laying of a cable across the Atlantic in 1866.
Found in 51 Collections and/or Records:
Item
Letter from W. Thomson to J.C. Maxwell, 17 June 1871 (Note contemporary with letter, SLP 377n)
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/I/a/19
Scope and Contents
Has note added by P.G. Tait
Dates:
17 June 1871 (Note contemporary with letter, SLP 377n)
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
Series
Letter from William Thomson, Lord Kelvin (1824-1907) to Professor Peter Guthrie Tait, 1844 - 1900
Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8781/331
Scope and Contents
Formulae for cycles of a cylinder
Dates:
1844 - 1900
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
/
Miscellaneous letters
Series
Letter from William Thomson, Lord Kelvin to James Porter, 23 Apr. 1897
Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8781/332
Scope and Contents
He sends a cheque for £700 to Peterhouse
Dates:
23 Apr. 1897
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
/
Miscellaneous letters
File
Letters from P.G. Tait and Wm. Thomson to J.C. Maxwell, 15 June 1865-2 Sep. 1879 (The initial date is inferred)
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/I/a
Scope and Contents
The series is formed by 55 lettters from Tait and 3 from Thomson
Dates:
15 June 1865-2 Sep. 1879 (The initial date is inferred)
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
File
Lists regarding Kelvin's letters and papers.
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA180-PA182
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Mainly manuscript drafts of Kelvin's papers.
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA87-PA179A
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Mainly reprints of Kelvin's published papers.
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA42-PA86
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Material regarding the Lalla Rookh.
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA183-PA188
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Material relating to people other than Kelvin
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA407-PA446
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Metric System
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA243-PA266
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Miscellaneous
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA317-PA332
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Miscellaneous, c.1850 to c.1900, 1850-1900 (Circa)
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA267-PA300
Dates:
1850-1900 (Circa)
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Miscellaneous material
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA356-PA406
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
Series
Notebooks, 1835-1907
Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/3/NB1-NB180
Scope and Contents
Mainly research notebooks, with some additional correspondence
Dates:
1835-1907
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Notes by various people concerning the Kelvin collection
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA1-PA10
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Obituary notes, etc., for Kelvin
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA333-PA355
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
Series
Papers, 1840-1907 (Circa)
Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA1-PA446
Dates:
1840-1907 (Circa)
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
Fonds
Papers of Frank McClean
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10348
Scope and Contents
Letters, photographs and notebooks of Frank McClean and family. Comprises: student notebook, University of Glasgow, on William Thomson's [Lord Kelvin's] classes in Natural Philosophy, 1854-5; student notebook, Trinity College, Cambridge; letters from Frank McClean to his father, John Robinson McClean, and to his son, William Newsome McClean, serving in South Africa; letters from Ellen McClean to her son, William Newsome McClean, serving in South Africa; pocket diaries; correspondence from...
Dates:
1847 - 1942
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
File
Peerage congratulations received by Kelvin and his wife when he was made Baron Kelvin in 1892., 1892
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/1/PR1-PR438
Scope and Contents
Lady Kelvin's mother's death occurred at the same time, so many of the letters are ones of sympathy or of sympathy in addition to congratulations. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically.
Dates:
1892
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Reports from the Physical Laboratory, Glasgow University
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA301-PA316
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
Item
Student notebook: Natural Philosophy, University of Glasgow, Nov. 1854 - May 1855
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10348/1
Scope and Contents
Notebook in the hand of Frank McClean, with notes on Kelvin's classes in Natural Philosophy at the University of Glasgow. Together with an attendance card for the lectures, signed by William Thomson [Kelvin].
Dates:
Nov. 1854 - May 1855
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
/
Papers of Frank McClean
File
Telegraphs.
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA215-PA231
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Testimonials written by Kelvin in 1846 regarding the professorship of natural philosophy in Glasgow University, 1846
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/1/TM1-TM31
Dates:
1846
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
File
Tides.
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.7342/2/PA189-PA214
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the original papers is restricted. A set of microfilms is available for consultation, reference CM04807-CM04856
Fonds
William Thomson, Lord Kelvin: Family Letters
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.8818
Scope and Contents
68 letters, mostly from Kelvin to his sister Elizabeth; a few to David King; some from Margaret Thomson, Kelvin's first wife, and Frances Thomson, his second wife; 3 from Charles and Margaret Watson at the time of Margaret Thomson's death; and 4 from Frances Thomson to Elizabeth, daughter of David and Elizabeth King. The letters cover family news; occasional references to Kelvin's scientific work; the long illness of Margaret Thomson, and of David King; the laying of Atlantic telegraph...
Dates:
1836-1906
Conditions Governing Access:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 48
- Collection 3
- Subject
- Astronomy 1
- Boer War (1899-1902) 1
- Metric system 1
- Metrology 1
- Science 1