James Clerk Maxwell Biography Childhood, Life Achievements

James Clerk Maxwell Biography

James Maxwell was one of the most influential physics in the world. In particular, he made great strides in helping to understand electromagnetism and produced a unified model of electromagnetism. His research on kinetics and electricity laid the foundations of modern quantum mechanics and special relativity.

James Clerk Maxwell Biography Childhood, Life Achievements

"The work of James Clerk Maxwell has changed the world forever."
- Albert Einstein

Short Bio Of James Maxwell

James Maxwell Childhood

James Clerk Maxwell (13 June 1831 - 5 November 1879)

James was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1831. From his early childhood, he showed a natural curiosity, always wondering how things worked and moved as they did.

At the age of eight, his mother died, and his father, John took responsibility for his education with his sister-in-law, Jane. In 1841, he went to the Academy of Edinburgh. He was a satisfactory student, but was very interested in subjects outside the syllabus of the school, especially geometry, drawing and mathematics. At the age of 14, he wrote his first scientific paper (Oval Curves)

James Clerk Maxwell Education

In 1847 he moved to the University of Edinburgh where he studied courses on logic, mathematics and natural philosophy. However, as at school, he was more interested in pursuing his own studies outside the program. He studied the properties of polarized light and prisms, and made his first research on electrical and magnetic equipments. 18, he presented another scientific document - although it was considered too young, it was handed over to the Royal Society by his tutor Kelland.

In 1850, he moved to Trinity College, Cambridge, and studied mathematics under the great tutor William Hopkins. Maxwell graduated in mathematics and was able to pursue his own research interests. At that time, it was to investigate the properties of color. He gave his first lecture at the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March 1855 on his experiments on color. In the same year he was made a fellow of the Trinity. But, shortly after, in 1856, an opportunity was taken to take the Chair of Natural Philosophy at the Marischal College, in Aberdeen, and he applied it. He married Katherine Mary Dewar in 1857.

In Aberdeen he spent part of his time giving lectures and marking exam papers, but he still had the opportunity to pursue other areas of research. He was able to show his considerable talent, providing a theoretical explanation for Saturn's Rings, was also worth 130 pounds and the Adams prize at St John's College in Cambridge.

In 1860, he suffered from a serious wave, but survived and moved to Kings College, London. In his time in London, he became familiar with Michael Faraday at the Royal Institute and made great strides in his electromagnetism work, including a model of electromagnetic induction. In one of his most important works he wrote:

James Clerk Maxwell Achievements

This velocity is so close to light that it seems that we have good reason to conclude that light itself (including radiant heat and other rays, if any) is an electromagnetic disturbance in the form of waves Propagated through the electromagnetic field according to electromagnetic laws. A dynamic theory of the electromagnetic field (1864), §20.
In 1865 he returned to Glenair in Scotland and wrote a book Theory of Heat (1871)

In 1871 he returned to Cambridge, working on the development of the Cavendish laboratory.
He died of abdominal cancer on November 5, 1879 at the age of only 48 years.

James Maxwell was a real cop. Besides his scientific discoveries, he loved poetry and liked drawing. Although many contemporaries mentioned, he lacked grace and confidence in social situations. He has earned reputation as a typical eccentric scientist. He was also an evangelical Christian. He wrote about the link between science and Christianity

I think that men of science as well as other men must learn from Christ, and I think that Christians whose minds are scientific are obliged to study the science that their vision of the glory of God may be as extensive as their Being is capable. But I think that the results that every man has in his attempts to harmonize his science with his Christianity should not be regarded as having any meaning except for man himself and for him only for a time, Should not receive the stamp of a company. (Draft response to an invitation to join the Victoria Institute (1875), Chapter 12: Cambridge 1871 to 1879, p.404)
James Maxwell Scientific Achievements

Maxwell's equations have had a greater impact on human history than the ten presidents.
- Carl Sagan

Maxwell's greatest contribution to science 

The observation of electromagnetic fields moves at the speed of light showing the connection between light and electromagnetics.
Prediction of oscillating electric and magnetic fields and waves
Writing equations for electromagnetism. Later, Maxwell's equations.
The concept of the electromagnetic field, which was later worked by Albert
Einstein, leading to his theory of special relativity.
His work on optics and color laid the foundation for a practical color photograph.
He also helped explain the phenomena of color blindness
He developed kinetic theory for gas - Called Maxwell distribution.
Work on thermodynamics
The theory of the centrifugal governor control used in steam engines.
James Maxwell is considered by many to be one of the three greatest scientists ever known. Tied with Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein.

Einstein himself described Maxwell's work as:

"The deepest and most fruitful that physics has lived since the time of Newton."
Einstein said he had a photo of Maxwell, Michael Faraday and Newton in his study.