Kelvin, Lord (1824-1907), was one of the great British physicists of the 1800’s. Kelvin published 661 papers on a wide range of scientific subjects, and he patented 70 inventions. Queen Victoria knighted Kelvin for his work as the electrical engineer in charge of laying the first successful transatlantic cable in 1866.
Kelvin invented the mirror galvanometer used in cable signaling, and the siphon recorder, still used to receive the signals (see Galvanometer ). He invented the first ship’s compass that reduced the magnetic influence of iron on the ship. He also invented a mechanical tide predictor.
Kelvin introduced a temperature scale that begins at absolute zero (–273.15 °C, or –459.67 °F). This scale is known as the Kelvin scale (see Absolute zero ).
Kelvin also tried to calculate the age of the earth. However, the discovery of radioactivity showed that his basic assumptions were incorrect.
Kelvin was born on June 26, 1824, in Belfast, Ireland. His given and family name was William Thomson. He was educated at the University of Glasgow and Cambridge University. He became professor of natural philosophy at the University of Glasgow in 1846. He remained there until he retired in 1899. In 1892, he received the title of Baron Kelvin of Largs. He died on Dec. 17, 1907.
