Remembering the accomplishments of Lord Kelvin

IOP

22 November 2007

Phil Willis, MP

Physicists, MPs and dignitaries attended a commemorative event on Wednesday, November 21, at the House of Commons to remember the late, great Lord Kelvin.  Born William Thomson in Belfast, 1824, the commemoration was held to mark the century which has passed since his death in December 1907. 

Lord Kelvin was a giant of nineteenth century science, not only making major contributions to fundamental physics research, but also pioneering the practical application of many innovations, in particular the first undersea telegraph cable to connect Europe and North America.  He was professor of natural philosophy at the University of Glasgow for over fifty years, and President of the Institute of Physics (IOP) from 1880 to 1882.

Arranged by IOP and Glasgow University, the commemorative event was hosted by Ann McKechin, MP for Glasgow North, the constituency which harbours Lord Kelvin’s alma mater, Glasgow University.  Speeches were also given by Ian Pearson, the current Minister of State for Science and Innovation, Phil Willis, Liberal Democrat MP and Chair of the House of Commons’ Committee on Innovation, Universities and Skills, and Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, world-renowned astrophysicist and IOP’s president-elecPhysicists, MPs and dignitaries attended a commemorative event on Wednesday, November 21, at the House of Commons to remember the late, great Lord Kelvin.  Born William Thomson in Belfast, 1824, the commemoration was held to mark the century which has passed since his death in December 1907.

Press release (www.iop.org)

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