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The James Clerk Maxwell Foundation has essentially two functions, one charitable and the other commemorative. Its general purposes are outlined in the first two items of its Deed of Declaration of Trust, dated 12 January 1977:
"1. To promote, encourage, and advance the study of, research into, and the dissemination of knowledge of and relating to physics, chemistry and physical chemistry in all their aspects and in particular, but without prejudice to the foregoing generality, colloids and interfaces.
2. To commemorate, by publishing or contributing towards or promoting the publication in any way (but not with a view to profit) of scientific or educational books, films, papers, essays, monographs and/or lectures on or relating to physics and chemistry or any aspect thereof, the said James Clerk Maxwell and any other person or persons who may in the opinion of the Trustees have contributed significantly to the advancement of physics or chemistry."
The charitable function of the Foundation was its only concern during the years 1977-93. Grants were made to senior scientists (professors) to attend meetings abroad and to junior scientists (graduates and undergraduates) to assist their studies or researches. As the Foundation is a modest one, these grants were not large, but even so were often essential for the purposes of the recipients. With the acquisition of the house in which Clerk Maxwell was born, in the New Town of Edinburgh, the work of the Foundation entered a new phase in which its commemorative function predominated.
The foundation supports an annual set of charitable donations etc at: The Edinburgh Academy prize, The University of Edinburgh studentship, McKinnon McNeil studentship, two Mathematics prizes, Philosophical Magazine prize and it supports an Edinburgh International Science Festival lecture.
A bronze plaque in the hallway of the house provides a brief history of the Foundation. An updated version reads:
Instituted to promote education in the physical sciences
THE JAMES CLERK MAXWELL FOUNDATION
Was created in 1977 by the initiative and generosity of
SYDNEY ROSS, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y., U.S.A.
These premises were acquired by the foundation in 1993
Owing largely to the efforts of its director of development
DAVID S. RITCHIE, M.A., F.R.S.E.
Who enlisted the help of many donors
Both institutional and private
To further the educational aims of the foundation
AND TO HONOUR JAMES CLERK MAXWELL
Premier Scottish Scientist
HAC DOMO NATALI
NOMEN EST LATVM
PER ORBEM TERRARVM
ETIAMQVE AD ASTRA
Notes on the Foregoing:
1. The James Clerk Maxwell Foundation is not an American foundation; it was founded and funded by a native of Scotland, who resides most of the year in the United States. The Foundation is governed and administered according to the Law of Scotland, and is recognised as a Scottish Charity by the Inland Revenue of the United Kingdom (No. SCO 15003).
2. The Latin epigraph may be translated as: From this home of his birth, his name is now widespread across the entire terrestrial globe, and even to the stars. The latter phrase is to be taken literally; it is based on the fact that Maxwell's name is attached not only to a crater on the Moon but also to the highest region on the surface of the planet Venus, the Maxwell Montes. This is a singular honour. Quoting from The Magellan Venus Explorers' Guide (NASA publication 1990): "The International Astronomical Union, the governing body for planetary and satellite nomenclature, adopted a theme in keeping with the age-old feminine mystique of Venus, features would be named for women, both mythological and real . . . three previously adopted names were retained, Alpha and Beta the first names applied to Venusian features . . . Maxwell was also retained. . . James Clerk Maxwell is thus the only man honored with a feature name [on Venus]."
3. The Latin epigraph contrasts the tiny world of the Maxwell home and the enormous worlds of the globe and planets; it reflects the contrast between the baby whose life started there and the great man he became. To those standing in the very birthplace these words may well bring thoughts of the mysteries of birth, growth, and human genius.
Donations will be gratefully acknowledged if sent to:
Mr David S. Ritchie
James Clerk Maxwell Foundation
14 India Street
Edinburgh EH3 6EZ
Mr Ritchie, will be pleased to answer enquiries and to supply covenant and gift forms. Telephone: 0131 343 1036.
Trustees
Professor Sydney Ross PhD HonDSc CorrFRSE (Founder and Honorary President)
Professor A. David Milne OBE CEng FIET SMIEE FREng FRSE (Chairman)
Professor David S. Ritchie MA FRMetS FRSE (Honorary Vice-President)
Sir Michael Atiyah, OM HonDSc HonFREng HonFMedSci HonFFA PPRS PPRSE
Professor Malcolm Longair CBE BSc MA PhD Hon LLD FRS FRSE
Professor Neil B. Graham BSc PhD CChem FRSC FIM FRSE
David O. Forfar MA FFA AIA FIMA FSS CMath
Professor Roland A Paxton MBE MSc PhD HonDEng CEng FICE AMCST FRSE
Dr Richard C. Dougal BSc PhD CPhys FInstP
Professor Gordon B Donaldson MA PhD FInstP FRSE
Professor John F. Roulston OBE DEng Hon DSc FREng FRSE
Dr Walter G Scott BSc PhD FRSE
Professor Peter M. Grant, HonDEng FIEE CEng FIEEE FREng CEng FRSE
Dr John S.Reid, PhD FInstP CPhys MLitt FRAS FRMetS
Professor J.Chris Eilbeck, BSc PhD FIMA FRSE
Dr John W.Arthur, BSc PhD FInstP FIET SMIEE FREng FRSE
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