Lord Kelvin : his life and work / by Alexander Russell.

  • Alexander Russell
Date:
[1912]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Lord Kelvin : his life and work / by Alexander Russell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    13/102 page 9
    CHAPTEE I EABLY LEFB The effects of early upbringing and environment on a man’s life and work are always important. In the case of Lord Kelvin these effects are especially apparent. His father, James Thomson, was bom at Armaghmore, near BaUynahinch, County Down, Ireland, in 1786. His grandfather was a small farmer, whose ancestors came over from Scotland in covenanting times, probably owing to persecution. Sprung from such a stock, the Thomsons took a stern and serious view of life. The disturbed condition of the country did not tend to moUify this view. James Thomson, when twelve years old, was an eyewitness of some of the horrors of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. These scenes left an inefface- able impression on his mind. It is related of James Thomson that when still a boy he discovered for himself the art of making a sundial. As he was practically self-educated before this discovery, his natural abiUty must have been of a high order. It was not surprising, therefore, that when he went to school his progress was rapid and successful. When he finished his course, he was offered, and accepted, the post of assistant teacher. At this period his ambition was to become a Presbyterian minister. Like all true- hearted young men, he was eager to raise the moral and intellectual ideals of the people, and to ameliorate the lot of the poor. His parents, gratified at the bent of
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