1831-1879

Scottish Physicist

James Clerk Maxwell developed the mathematical theory of electricity and magnetism, and introduced statistical methods to the kinetic theory of gases and thermodynamics. Arguably the nineteenth-century scientist who exerted the greatest influence on twentieth-century science, his work had widespread significance in a variety of fields, including the development of relativity and quantum mechanics. The importance of Maxwell's work is ranked with that of Isaac Newton (1642-1727) and Albert Einstein (1879-1955).

Maxwell was born into a family whose original surname was Clerk; his father added the name Maxwell when he inherited the Maxwell estate. Maxwell's mother, who was 40 years old when he was born, died of abdominal cancer when he was eight. He was initially tutored at home, then attended Edinburgh Academy where he published his first scientific paper at age 14.

Maxwell entered the University of Edinburgh at age 16 and moved on...