Maxwell, James Clerk, 1831-1879 (Professor, scientist, physicist)
Dates
- Existence: 1831 - 1879
Biography
James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) was born in Edinburgh. In 1841 he became a pupil at the Edinburgh Academy and in 1847 entered the University of Edinburgh, attending lectures on mathematics, natural philosophy, chemistry, and mental philosophy. In October 1850 he became an undergraduate of Peterhouse, Cambridge, transferring to Trinity College in December of that year. He graduated in 1854 and in 1855 was elected a fellow of Trinity. During the next year he was appointed professor of natural philosophy in Marischal College, Aberdeen, and in 1858 married Katherine Mary Dewar, the daughter of the principal. In 1860 he became professor of natural philosophy in King's College, London. He resigned the post in 1865, returning to private life at Glenlair, but in 1871 was induced to come forward as a candidate for the new chair of experimental physics at Cambridge, to which he was elected unopposed. The work of the professorship occupied Maxwell for the next five years. He died on 5 November 1879, following an illness. Maxwell carried out research into the effects of combinations of colours by means of the rapid rotation of discs coloured differently in different parts. This became known as his colour-top. His conclusions on primary colours and colour-blindness led to him being awarded the Rumford medal of the Royal Society in 1860. Maxwell also examined the question of the distribution of velocity in a gas and was involved in research and experiments concerning electricity and magnetism, on which he wrote a number of important papers.
Found in 57 Collections and/or Records:
Alexander Davidson: Student notebooks, Aberdeen University
Lectures delivered by James Nicol (1810-79), geologist, Professor of Natural History, Aberdeen University, 1853-78; James Clerk Maxwell (1831-79), Professor of Natural Philosophy, Marischal College, Aberdeen, 1857-60; Professor of Natural Philosopy, King's College London, 1860-5; Professor of Experimental Physics, Cambridge, 1871-79.
Ambrose Fleming: Notes on James Clerk Maxwell's lectures
Notes by Ambrose Fleming on the last course of lectures given by James Clerk Maxwell at Cambridge University, delivered October 1878 - June 1879. There is an index at the front of each volume.
Circuit diagram and calculations in Maxwell's hand, 1849-1879 (Circa, undated)
Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles
Correspondence and papers with Henry Charles Fleeming Jenkin
A principal series of scientific correspondence, drafts and notes totalling 242 items, letters written to J.C. Maxwell from many scientists and institutions of Maxwell's day dating from his early days at Cambridge University until the day of his death.
Correspondence of James Clerk Maxwell (excluding Peter Guthrie Tait), 19 Apr. 1849-5 Nov. 1879 (Circa)
A principal series of scientific correspondence, drafts and notes totalling 242 items, letters written to J.C. Maxwell from many scientists and institutions of Maxwell's day dating from his early days at Cambridge University until the day of his death.
Diagram of Gibbs' Thermodynamic Surface made in plaster by Maxwell, 1849-1879 (Circa, undated, SLP 564)
Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles
Final drafts of books, 1849-1879 (Circa, undated)
Correspondence, drafts of articles and books, notes and miscellaneous papers. The main body of papers dates from Maxwell's undergraduate years at Edinburgh University beginning in 1847, until his death in 1879. Earlier and later items relate to family papers that have accrued to the collection, though these are not extensive.)
James Clerk Maxwell: Correspondence and papers
Correspondence, drafts of articles and books, notes and miscellaneous papers. The main body of papers dates from Maxwell's undergraduate years at Edinburgh University beginning in 1847, until his death in 1879. Earlier and later items relate to family papers that have accrued to the collection, though these are not extensive.)
James Clerk Maxwell: Letters to George Chrystal and other papers
The collection is comprised of papers relating to James Clerk Maxwell, George Chrystal, Prof. William Garnett (Maxwell's Demonstrator at the Cavendish Laboratory), and John William Strutt, Lord Rayleigh. A typed note states '5.10.67: Presented by Professor Mott, these were found among the possessions of his late Father, who worked in the Cavendish Laboratory for two years in the early days'. The miscellaneous items, nos. 22-26, are in Maxwell's hand.
James Clerk Maxwell: Papers
The collection consists of the executorship papers of Mrs Maxwell, letters and a speech by William Garnett.
James Clerk Maxwell: Papers about his property, 1871-1888
Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Arthur Schuster, 2 Dec. 1875 (SLP 577)
A principal series of scientific correspondence, drafts and notes totalling 242 items, letters written to J.C. Maxwell from many scientists and institutions of Maxwell's day dating from his early days at Cambridge University until the day of his death.
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to [Arthur Schuster], 15 Dec. 1875 (SLP 578)
A principal series of scientific correspondence, drafts and notes totalling 242 items, letters written to J.C. Maxwell from many scientists and institutions of Maxwell's day dating from his early days at Cambridge University until the day of his death.
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Arthur Schuster, 3 May 1876 (SLP 600)
A principal series of scientific correspondence, drafts and notes totalling 242 items, letters written to J.C. Maxwell from many scientists and institutions of Maxwell's day dating from his early days at Cambridge University until the day of his death.
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to [C. Mackenzie] (draft), 1849-1879 (Circa, no year given)
A principal series of scientific correspondence, drafts and notes totalling 242 items, letters written to J.C. Maxwell from many scientists and institutions of Maxwell's day dating from his early days at Cambridge University until the day of his death.
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Charles Tomlinson, 12 Dec. 1878 (SLP 721)
A principal series of scientific correspondence, drafts and notes totalling 242 items, letters written to J.C. Maxwell from many scientists and institutions of Maxwell's day dating from his early days at Cambridge University until the day of his death.
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Dr [Thomas] Andrews, 15 July 1875 (SLP 567)
Enclosing sketch of "Gibbs' Thermodynamic Surface" and later note by William Blair Morton (1868-1949), physicist, regarding the sketch
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Edward William Blore [draft], 15 Feb. 1871 (SLP 357)
A principal series of scientific correspondence, drafts and notes totalling 242 items, letters written to J.C. Maxwell from many scientists and institutions of Maxwell's day dating from his early days at Cambridge University until the day of his death.
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to [Ernst Fleischl], Nov. 1878 (Circa end of November, SLP 720)
A principal series of scientific correspondence, drafts and notes totalling 242 items, letters written to J.C. Maxwell from many scientists and institutions of Maxwell's day dating from his early days at Cambridge University until the day of his death.
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Francis Galton, 26 Feb. 1879 (SLP 731)
Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to John Edward Henry Gordon, 1849-1879 (Circa, undated, SLP 546)
A principal series of scientific correspondence, drafts and notes totalling 242 items, letters written to J.C. Maxwell from many scientists and institutions of Maxwell's day dating from his early days at Cambridge University until the day of his death.
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to John Hutton Balfour, 28 Nov. 1870 (SLP 349)
Copy by P.G. Tait
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Joseph Thomson, 13 July 1871 (SLP 381)
Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Joseph Thomson, 24 July 1871 (SLP 382)
Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles
Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Joseph Thomson, 2 Sep. 1872 (SLP 421)
Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 52
- Collection 5
- Subject
- Physics 2
- Electromagnetism 1
- Mathematics 1
- Thermodynamics 1