“Maxwell can be justifiably placed with Einstein and Newton in a triad of the greatest physicists known to history”“From a long view of the history of mankind – seen from, say, ten thousand years from now – there can be little doubt

that the most significant event of the 19th century will be judged as Maxwell’s discovery of the laws of electrodynamics.”– Richard P. Feynman

“...many think that Maxwell’s study of the particles of Saturn’s rings led him directly and inevitably into the realm of kinetic theory of gases, in which so much of his life was spent. However this may be, when he crossed the bridge from Astronomy to Physics he left behind him for ever the prospect of becoming a great

astronomer - but only to become

the greatest mathematical physicist the world has seen since Newton.”– Sir James Jeans 1931

“One scientific epoch ended and another began with James Clerk Maxwell” – Albert Einstein

James Clerk Maxwell(1831-1879)

and Why Read Biographies

Sean Bird seanbird@covenantchristian.orgCovenant Christian High School covenantchristian.org/bird click “Calculus & Physics”Indianapolis, IndianaAssociation of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences 2005 conference

Why Read Biographies

• Phil 3:17 “…join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example…”

• Phil 4:8-9 “…What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things…”

• 1 Cor 10:6-7 “…these took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did…”

• 1 Cor 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”

“All other examples … must be commended and followed no further than they were followers of Christ” – Jonathan Edwards

James Clerk Maxwell’s philosophy of study

“I believe, with the Westminster Divines and their predecessors ad Infinitum that

‘Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him for ever.’”

James Clerk Maxwell gives this as the basis, or foundation, of all intellectual pursuits. In answer to how to enjoy the Lord, Maxwell states, “That happiness is indissolubly connected with the full exercise of these powers in the intended direction... In order to advance, the soul must converse with things external to itself.”

James Clerk Maxwell’s philosophy of study

“I should be very sorry if an interpretation founded on a most conjectural scientific hypothesis were to get fastened to the text in Genesis, …

The rate of change of scientific hypothesis is naturally much more rapid than that of Biblical interpretations, so that if an interpretation is founded on such an hypothesis, it may help to keep the hypothesis above ground long after it ought to be buried and forgotten.”

James Clerk Maxwell’s philosophy of study

“I think that each individual man should do all he can to impress his own mind with the extent, the order, and the unity of the universe, and should carry these ideas with him as he reads such passages as the 1st Chap. of the Ep. to Colossians (see Lightfoot on Colossians, p. 182), just as enlarged conceptions of the extent and unity of the world of life may be of service to us in reading Psalm viii.; Heb. ii. 6, etc.”

Achievements

• 1846, Age 14, On the description of oval curves, and those having a plurality of loci

• 1855-57, The Motion of Saturn’s Rings• 1859-78, kinetic molecular theory of gases• 1861, color photography• 1849-70, the perception of color• 1870, one of his 4 books, Theory of Heat

thermodynamics• 1873, Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism

Achievements

• & are the electric & magnetic fields, repectively

• J is the current density

with dimensions of

current per unit area

• Permittivity constant

• Permeability constant

0

o

oo

E

E J

E Bt

B

B

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12 2 22

18.854 10 C /N mo

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7 24 10 T m/Ao

, where charge density

The Poet

A Problem in Dynamics 19th Feb 1854

An inextensible heavy chainLies on a smooth horizontal plane,An impulsive force is applied at A,Required the initial motion of K.Let ds be the infinitesimal link,Of which for the present we've only to think;Let T be the tension, and T + dTThe same for the end that is nearest to B.Let a be put, by common convention,For the angle at M 'twixt OX and the tension… [this continues for 54 more lines]

A poem about MaxwellEnergies through the ether flow,Waves travel to and fro,And with a ratioTheir speed you measure.Colours yield their secret hue,And Saturn's rings subdued by youSuggest that gasesMight be measured too.Science you freedFrom cramping mechanistic creed,And by your theory broughtThe elastic solid ether to naught,And changed the axiomatic basisOf scientific thought.Oh Maxwell! How can I declaimOn such a genius, such a fame,

And speak of one so very wiseWho saw the world through splendid eyes,And though of such a subtle mindWas yet so humorous and kind?Yours was a mind unique and rareThat, nurtured in a northern air,Struck out new paths in many waysThrough all too short, yet fruitful days.How can one capture in a lineSomething so great, so pure, so fine?Give thanks,That such a man drew breath,And lament with all the worldHis early death.

Maxwell was also a poet. This, “A Student’s Evening Hymn” is an example of his Christian faith is poetic form.

Cambridge, April 25, 1853.I.Now no more the slanting raysWith the mountain summits dally,Now no more in crimson blazeEvening’s fleecy cloudless rally,Soon shall Night front off the valleySweep that bright yet earthly haze,And the stars most musicallyMove in endless rounds of praise.II.While the world is growing dim,And the Sun is slow descendingPast the far horizon’s rim,Earth's low sky to heaven extending,Let my feeble earth-notes, blendingWith the songs of cherubim,Through the same expanse ascending,Thus renew my evening hymn.III.Thou that fill’st our waiting eyesWith the food of contemplation,Setting in thy darkened skiesSigns of infinite creation,Grant to nightly meditationWhat the toilsome day denies—Teach me in this earthly stationHeavenly Truth to realise.IV.Give me wisdom so to useThese brief hours of thoughtful leisure,That I may no instant loseIn mere meditative pleasure,But with strictest justice measureAll the ends my life pursues,Lies to crush and truths to treasure,Wrong to shun and Right to choose.V.Then, when unexpected Sleep,O’er my long-closed eyelids stealing,Opens up that lower deepWhere Existence has no feeling,May sweet Calm, my languor healing,Lend note strength at dawn to reapAll that Shadows, world-concealing,For the bold enquirer keep.

VI.Through the creatures Thou hast madeShow the brightness of Thy glory,Be eternal Truth displayedIn their substance transitory,Till green Earth and Ocean hoary,Massy rock and tender bladeTell the same unending story—“We are Truth in Form arrayed.”VII.When to study I retire,And from books of ancient sagesGlean fresh sparks of buried fireLurking in their ample pages—While the task my mind engagesLet old words new truths inspire—Truths that to all after-agesPrompt the Thoughts that never tire.VIII.Yet if, led by shadows fairI have uttered words of folly,Let the kind absorbing airStifle every sound unholy.So when Saints with Angels lowlyJoin in heaven’s unceasing prayer,Mine as certainly, though slowly,May ascend and mingle there.IXTeach me so Thy works to readThat my faith,—new strength accruing,—May from world to world proceed,Wisdom's fruitful search pursuing;Till, thy truth my mind imbuing,I proclaim the Eternal Creed,Oft the glorious theme renewingGod our Lord is God indeed.XGive me love aright to traceThine to everything created,Preaching to a ransomed raceBy Thy mercy renovated,Till with all thy fulness satedI behold thee face to faceAnd with Ardour unabatedSing the glories of thy grace.

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The Earliest Years

• Scottish Presbyterian born in Edinburgh, Scotland• At two, always asked father to“Show me how it doos.” • Could recite Psalm 119 and large passages of Milton at

eight.• Mother died of cancer that year.

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A man of the Word

Preferred

• Biblical preaching with proper hermeneutics

• Simple style of worship

• Purity in worship and doctrine

-Spirit of unity

-Elder of Presbyterian congregation in his home town

-Sabbath keeper

-Read resent commentaries as well as Owen & Edwards

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This drawing by James’ cousin Jemima Wedderburn depicts the obstinate Maxwell paddling a washtub away from his tutor.

© copyright 1997 Sonnet Softw

are, Inc., all rights reserved.

James & Katherine

Prayer

“Almighty God, who hast created man in Thine own image, and made him a living soul that he might seek after Thee and have dominion over Thy creatures, teach us to study the works of Thy hands that we may subdue the earth to our use, and strengthen our reason for Thy service; and so to receive Thy blessed Word, that we may believe on Himwhom Thou hast sent to give us the knowledge of salvation and the remission of our sins. All which we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Prayer

“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth, who hast set Thy glory above the heavens, and out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast perfected praise. When we consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained, teach us to know that Thou art mindful of us, and visitest us, making usrulers over the works of Thy hands, showing us the wisdom of Thy laws, and crowning us with honour and glory in our earthly life; and looking higher than the heavens, may we see Jesus, made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour, that He, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man. O Lord, fulfil Thy promise, and put all things in subjection under His feet. Let sin be rooted out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless Thou the Lord, O my soul, praise the Lord.”