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Maxwell, James Clerk, 1831-1879 (Professor, scientist, physicist)

 Person

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:

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 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Joseph Thomson, 27 Mar. 1875 (SLP 557)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/23
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 27 Mar. 1875 (SLP 557)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Joseph Thomson, 26 June 1875 (SLP 562)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/24
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 26 June 1875 (SLP 562)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Joseph Thomson, 8 July 1875 (SLP 564)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/25
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 8 July 1875 (SLP 564)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Joseph Thomson, 25 June 1879 (SLP 750)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/28
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 25 June 1879 (SLP 750)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Josiah Latimer Clark, 16 July 1872 (SLP 418)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/II/59
Scope and Contents From the Series:

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.

Dates: 16 July 1872 (SLP 418)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Messrs D. and J. Graham, 26 July 1879 (SLP 751)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/II/196
Scope and Contents From the Series:

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.

Dates: 26 July 1879 (SLP 751)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to P.G. Tait, 3 Dec. 1856 (SLP 108)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/2
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 3 Dec. 1856 (SLP 108)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to P.G. Tait, 15 Feb. 1857 (SLP 113)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/3
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 15 Feb. 1857 (SLP 113)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to P.G. Tait, 21 Nov. 1857 (SLP 136)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/4
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 21 Nov. 1857 (SLP 136)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to P.G. Tait, 9 Mar. 1859 (SLP 156)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/5
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 9 Mar. 1859 (SLP 156)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to P.G. Tait, 11 Nov. 1859 (SLP 165)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/6
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 11 Nov. 1859 (SLP 165)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to P.G. Tait, 7 Mar. 1865 (SLP 244)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/7
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 7 Mar. 1865 (SLP 244)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to P.G. Tait, 17 June 1865 (SLP 249)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/8
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 17 June 1865 (SLP 249)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to P.G. Tait, 4 Apr. 1866 (SLP 262)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/9
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 4 Apr. 1866 (SLP 262)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to P.G. Tait, 4 Apr. 1871 (SLP 366)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/12
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 4 Apr. 1871 (SLP 366)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to P.G. Tait, 15 July 1872 (SLP 417)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/18
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 15 July 1872 (SLP 417)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to P.G. Tait, 3 Mar. 1873 (SLP 443)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/21
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 3 Mar. 1873 (SLP 443)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Sir John Ambrose Fleming; equations in Maxwell's hand, plus photograph of Maxwell, 14 Jan. 1875-1878 (SLP 548 (22a))

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/22a-22b
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 14 Jan. 1875-1878 (SLP 548 (22a))
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Sir William Siemens, 23 June 1871 (SLP 378)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/III/a/14
Scope and Contents From the File:

Modern copies or transcriptions of correspondence of J.C. Maxwell and others in this collection or elsewhere, including typescripts and facsimiles

Dates: 23 June 1871 (SLP 378)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to Thomas Graham, Master of the Mint, 1 May 1865 (SLP 248)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/II/23
Scope and Contents From the Series:

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.

Dates: 1 May 1865 (SLP 248)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to W. Thomson, 14 Apr. 1870 (SLP 339)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/II/36
Scope and Contents

With notes by way of reply added by Thomson

Dates: 14 Apr. 1870 (SLP 339)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to W. Thomson, 14 Mar. 1871 (SLP 362)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/II/45
Scope and Contents From the Series:

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.

Dates: 14 Mar. 1871 (SLP 362)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to W. Thomson, 8 Feb. 1872 (SLP 402)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/II/55
Scope and Contents From the Series:

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.

Dates: 8 Feb. 1872 (SLP 402)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to W. Thomson, 10 Aug. 1872 (SLP 420n)

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/II/61A
Scope and Contents From the Series:

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.

Dates: 10 Aug. 1872 (SLP 420n)
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
 Item

Letter from J.C. Maxwell to W. Thomson, 17 Apr. 1865

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS.Add.7655/II/22A
Scope and Contents From the Series:

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.

Dates: 17 Apr. 1865
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: RESTRICTED - Use Microfilms CMO5028-CMO5042. List in catalogue
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Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 52
Collection 5
 
Subject
Physics 2
Electromagnetism 1
Mathematics 1
Thermodynamics 1