JCMF
JCMF

James Clerk Maxwell

13 June 2024 - 193rd Birthday

James Clerk Maxwell (1831-79) was one of the most important scientists of the 19th Century. He laid the foundations for many of the scientific and technological advances which shape our world.

Click image to read the book.

Below we list some information with further links about Maxwell, and places associated with him which you can visit in person or virtually. There is much more on the rest of our web site.

John Arthur, our Foundation Curator, has recently published the 2nd edition of his book Brilliant Lives, The Clerk Maxwells and the Scottish Enlightenment, which describes James, his work and his remarkable family. The book is free to read on-line, and if you find it interesting, John asks that you please consider making a donation to the Foundation.

We are a small charity, and need to raise funds for our charitable activities promoting the achievements of James Clerk Maxwell.


This short video (YouTube) by the Glasgow Science Centre describes Maxwell's work in a very accessible way.
* More videos


 

Or see the longer presentation Scotland's Einstein by Prof Catherine Heymans and Prof Martin Hendry at the Wigtown Book Festival 2022


 

His life (JCM and wife Katherine above), work, remarkable family, poetry, art ...MORE

Scientific achievements (colour photography above) ...MORE

Picture Gallery of Maxwell (as a young boy above), family, contemporaries and places.



Birthplace tour: He was born in this elegant Georgian house. It now displays a growing collection of heritage material associated with James Clerk Maxwell, his associates and family circle. ...Birthplace Tour Details

14 India Street, Edinburgh

Entrance Hall


The James Clerk Maxwell statue in Edinburgh

RSE

Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)

The Edinburgh tour takes you on foot or virtually round sites associated with Maxwell including his statue, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and his birthplace. There are apps for mobile phones available. ...Edinburgh Tour Details


Marischal College Aberdeen - panoramio
Marischal College Aberdeen

Maxwell's first job was at Marischal College in 1856 where he met his future wife. Later (1874) he set up the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge.

His family's country estate was at Glenlair in Dumfries and Galloway, and he is buried in Parton churchyard there. ...UK Tour Details


Glasgow musician and composer PJ Moore (of ‘The Blue Nile') is an enthusiastic promoter of James Clerk Maxwell's memory. An example of his work is this video piece (Vimeo) which combines the animations from Maxwell's zoetrope and images of Glenlair (Maxwell's country home), with words written by Maxwell at age 23 set to Paul's music.


 

A song and video (YouTube) about JCM, with words by Howie Firth and music by Andy & Flora Munro. This was written in 2012 and has been performed many times since then to appreciative audiences.


 

The Foundation organised many events for Maxwell's 175th anniversary in 2006 ...MORE

... and plans to organise more leading up to Maxwell's 200th anniversary in 2031. Watch this space!


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The JCM Foundation is a charity formed in Scotland in 1977. (Registered Charity SC015003)
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