One of the world’s greatest scientists, whose revolutionary findings have shaped how we communicate today, is being celebrated in the city where he launched his remarkable professorial career.
James Clerk Maxwell began his professorial career at Marischal College, in Aberdeen, and to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his appointment to the Chair of Natural Philosophy, the University of Aberdeen will later this week host scientific lectures (Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9) and will also host an afternoon of public lectures on Saturday, September 9.
Maxwell was a Scot who laid the foundations for many of the technologies we use today and made basic advances in science that all later generations have built upon. Think of radio, TV, mobile phones and other applications of electromagnetic waves and you should think of Maxwell. Think of colour photographs, colour film, colour printing and you’ll find that the basic quantitative science underlying these processes was discovered by Maxwell during his time at Aberdeen.
Although we can’t see molecules in everyday life, it was Maxwell’s work while he was at Aberdeen that laid the foundation for the molecular understanding of many everyday properties of materials, particularly gases. He announced a famous law in Physics at the British Association meeting held in Aberdeen in 1859 for which the Music Hall in Union Street was specially built.
The University is holding a celebratory meeting which begins on Friday, September 8. The 2-day, scientific meeting will include talks on today’s science in fields where James Clerk Maxwell laid the foundations, a poster session and a final afternoon of public talks on Maxwell’s work and his place in the history and philosophy of science.
Professor Ian Halliday, President of the European Science Foundation and Chief Executive of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance, will open Friday’s scientific lectures being held at Marischal College.
The University will continue celebrating Maxwell’s time in Aberdeen with an afternoon of public talks on Saturday by invited speakers from within the University, and from across the UK and the USA. The weekend event is being organised by the College of Physical Sciences.
The first of the public lectures will take a fascinating look at Maxwell’s life as a University professor in Aberdeen 150 years ago and Dr Reid, of the Department of Physics, will present this lecture. This will be followed by a look at how Maxwell laid the basis for quantitative colour science, by Professor Malcolm Longair, University of Cambridge. After refreshments, participants will find out how Maxwell contributed to subjects great and small while at Aberdeen, including Saturn’s rings and molecular science, and this will be presented by Professor Elizabeth Garber, from Stony Brook University, USA. The last lecture of the day will be given by Professor Graham Hall, University of Aberdeen, who will uncover Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory and how it led to Einstein’s special theory of relativity.
Dr Reid is looking forward to this weekend’s events and said: “Maxwell was probably the greatest historical scientist ever to hold a professorship at a Scottish University and this year (2006) is a very special year as it marks the 150th anniversary of his first and only Scottish Chair, at Marischal College.
“Maxwell laid the foundations of colour science and showed how to create colour pictures by the method that is used today in colour TVs, computer displays and mobile phones. His contemporaries also described him as “the leading molecular scientist” of the day.
“He laid down the basic rules that describe all electrical and magnetic phenomena, predicting the possibility of radio and other electromagnetic waves in the process. He also made significant contributions to astronomy, optics, mechanics, control theory and other subjects.
“I would like to extend a warm invitation to anyone who is interested in hearing about this hugely influential but unassuming Scot, to come to our event on Saturday – everyone is welcome.”
This weekend’s lectures at the University are open to the public at a cost of £4, which will include refreshments. Lecture tickets will also be available for purchase on the door but advance booking is preferred. The lectures will take place in the MacRobert Lecture Theatre, MacRobert Building between 2.00 and 5.30pm on Saturday, September 9. Tickets are booking up fast so don’t miss out on your chance to celebrate Maxwell’s time in Aberdeen. The web site http://www.abdn.ac.uk/maxwell/celebration/ has details of the event and an on-line registration form. Alternatively, contact the Department of Physics, University of Aberdeen in the mornings on (01224) 272518.
Some places are available for the celebration dinner which will follow the lectures, at the Patio Hotel. For further details visit the web-site.