1152:
542:
196:
398:). He described the society as being between medicine, physics and photography. It was his genius that put its stamp on that society and has made it into the rich amalgam of medical, scientific and technical members that it is today. As he said in his presidential address to the Röntgen Society: “The pioneers have opened the way into the wilderness; they are now being followed by those who will occupy the new territory, complete its survey, and map out its features. Not until every corner is explored and charted will the work of our Society be ended.”
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281:(RSM) in South Kensington, where he studied chemistry and physics. He graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree and started working at RSM. He soon became a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical and Physical Society; he participated in meetings—lectures with demonstrations of experiments organized at the Royal Institution.
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362:
In 1891 Thompson developed the idea of a telegraph submarine cable that could increase the distance of the electrical pulse and therefore increase the speed of transmitting words across the telegraph cable. Until then there was an average speed of between 10 and 50 words per minute but his design was
367:
today). His idea, written about by
Charles Bright in his book "Submarine Telegraphs", discusses the idea that the two wires could be designed as separate conductors but along their path they would be connected by an induction coil. This would allow for the introduction of capacitance and therefore
332:
in which he detailed the deficiencies in technical education in
England. In the discussion, the opinion was expressed that England was too conservative to make use of trade schools and that continental methods would not be applicable in the UK. Thompson recognised that technical education was the
390:
said: “The audience was thrilled, most seeing for the first time actual pieces of bones and metal. Silvanus
Thompson was a prince among lecturers. I have never heard a better demonstration or attended a more memorable medical meeting.”
323:
A major concern of
Thompson was the area of technical education and he made a series of continental tours to France, Germany and Switzerland to compare the continental approach to that in the UK. In 1879 he gave a paper at the
368:
allow for the distance of the electrical charge to increase so increasing the word count. This was a design that would help revolutionise submarine telegraphy and the future of telephone submarine systems.
1073:
Gay, H. and
Barrett, A., "Should the Cobbler Stick to his Last? Silvanus Phillips Thompson and the Making of a Scientific Career," British Journal for the History of Science, 2002, vol. 35, 151–86
347:
Thompson's particular gift was in his ability to communicate difficult scientific concepts in a clear and interesting manner. He attended and lectured at the Royal
Institution giving the
344:
Technical
College was a teaching institution created by the City and Guilds Institute and it was as its Principal and Professor of Physics that Thompson was to devote the next 30 years.
634:
In London, in 1910, Thompson was involved in early attempts to stimulate the brain using a magnetic field. Many years after his death the technique would eventually become refined as
382:
Thompson repeated Röntgen's experiments on the day after the discovery was announced in the UK and following this gave the first public demonstration of the new rays at the
363:
to counteract the discharging of electrical energy across the cable by introducing a return earth as part of the internal electrical structure of the cable (something like
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359:. He was an impressive lecturer and the radiologist AE Barclay said that: “None who heard him could forget the vividness of the word-pictures he placed before them.”
1231:
1246:
683:
by Adrian M K Thomas, British
Society for the History of Radiology, Department of Radiology, Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, Kent BR6 8ND
429:, then commanding HMS Vulcan, whose opinion led a senior naval officer to report, "it would be unworthy to try to evade the Marconi Company's patent."
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Thompson lectured at the Royal
Institution giving the Christmas lectures in 1896 on Light, Visible and Invisible with an account of Röntgen Light.
1241:
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792:
533:. The collection consists of 900 rare books and 2500 nineteenth and early twentieth century titles, with approximately 200 autograph letters.
274:
492:
Thompson had many interests including painting, literature, the history of science, and working in his greenhouse. He wrote biographies of
333:
means by which scientific knowledge could be put into action and spent the rest of his life putting his vision into practical realisation.
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in York and he also studied there. In 1873 Silvanus
Thompson was made the science master at the school. He graduated and sat for
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article by Arthur Smithells, 'Thompson, Silvanus Phillips (1851–1916)’, revised by Graeme J. N. Gooday, online edn, May 2006
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300:. Thompson was intrigued and stimulated and developed a major interest in light and optics (his other main interest being
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312:, and later was made Professor in 1878 at the age of 27. He had received a D.Sc. from the University of London in 1878.
426:
444:, indicating his belief in truth and integrity in all aspects of our lives. Thompson remained an active member of the
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Lynch, A. C., "Silvanus Thompson: teacher, researcher, historian," IEE Proceedings, 1989, vol. 136, A(6), pp 306–312.
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patents invalid, or to produce similar, but technically different equipment: the latter involved Thompson. When the
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and is a wonderful collection (he was President of the IEE). It includes many classic books on electricity,
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1079:"Gilbert, Translated: Silvanus P. Thompson, the Gilbert Club, and the Tercentenary Edition of De Magnete"
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Thompson's obituary in Proceedings of the Royal Society A, 1917–1918, vol. 94, pp xvi–xix. See also
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The original version is now in the public domain. A new edition has been updated and edited by
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received the two reports it was the pioneer of wireless telegraphy Captain (later, Admiral Sir)
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He died in London, after a short illness, on 12 June 1916, leaving a widow and four daughters.
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at the Chiswick Press in 1900. In 1912, Thompson published the first English translation of
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degree in 1869. After a teaching apprenticeship he was awarded a scholarship to the
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Obituary in Proceedings of the Royal Society A, 1917–1918, vol. 94, pp xvi–xix
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734:"Silvanus Phillips Thompson | Electricity, Magnetism, Telegraphy | Britannica"
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His scientific library of historical and working books is preserved at the
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44:
Photograph from Thompson's obituary in the Proceedings of the Royal Society
823:"British Institute of Radiology homepage – British Institute of Radiology"
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212:(19 June 1851 – 12 June 1916) was an English professor of physics at the
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and as an author. Thompson's most enduring publication is his 1910 text
1114:
Claus Bernet (2011). "Silvanus P. Thompson". In Bautz, Traugott (ed.).
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He was the first President of the Röntgen Society (later to become the
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402:
238:, and is still in print. Thompson also wrote a popular physics text,
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to produce secret reports. The purpose was either to declare the
305:
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1122:(in German). Vol. 32. Nordhausen: Bautz. cols. 1420–1428.
530:
259:
83:
1055:(London: T. Fisher Unwin, Ltd., 1920). Also available as the
1033:
Bright, C. "Submarine Telegraphs", C. Lockwood, London, 1898.
681:
Silvanus Phillips Thompson, radiology and the Röntgen Society
475:
Thompson wrote many books of a technical nature particularly
112:
99:
432:
Thompson was committed to truth in all aspects and his 1915
975:. Vol. 21 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
263:
60:
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which was first published in 1910, and is still in print.
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Additional different scannings of this book are available
822:
103:
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Polyphase electric currents and alternate-current motors
546:
Polyphase electric currents and alternate-current motors
340:
for the Advancement of Technical Education was founded.
266:, England. His father served as a master at the Quaker
868:"Obituary notice, Fellow: Thompson, Silvanus Phillips"
599:
Thompson is one of the individuals represented on the
710:
Encyclopaedic biography of the world great physicists
1118:
Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL)
908:"Silvanus Thompson - British Institute of Radiology"
614:
in 1894. In 1902, he was elected as a member to the
922:"Elementary Lessons in Electricity & Magnetism"
401:In 1900 Thompson was involved in the controversial
1115:
1041:Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
872:Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
477:Elementary Lessons in Electricity & Magnetism
1232:Members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
1178:
1052:Silvanus Phillips Thompson: His Life and Letters
240:Elementary Lessons in Electricity and Magnetism,
610:on 14 May 1891 and was elected a member of the
775:Photograph from Thompson and Thompson (1920),
758:Photograph from Thompson and Thompson (1920),
658:, Unwin, London, 1920 by Thompson and Thompson
1247:Members of the American Philosophical Society
1049:Thompson, Jane Smeal and Thompson, Helen G.,
304:). In 1876 he was appointed as a lecturer in
1113:
582:In 1910 Thompson was invited to deliver the
296:when Crookes demonstrated his light mill or
986:Anthony T. Barker and Ian Freeston (2007).
330:Apprenticeship, Scientific and Unscientific
1057:(New York: E. P. Dutton and Company, 1920)
862:
860:
319:Silvanus Thompson, at about the age of 25.
38:
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891:
693:Bootham Old Scholars Association (2011).
224:in 1891 and was known for his work as an
1202:Alumni of University of London Worldwide
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1242:Academics of University College Bristol
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848:Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
777:Silvanus Thompson, His Life and Letters
760:Silvanus Thompson, His Life and Letters
656:Silvanus Thompson, His Life and Letters
467:, on the front of the main building at
258:Thompson was born on 19 June 1851 to a
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1153:Works by or about Silvanus P. Thompson
463:Plaque for Thompson, sponsored by the
375:Silvanus Thompson presenting the 1910
16:British academic physicist (1851–1916)
234:, which teaches the fundamentals of
988:"Transcranial magnetic stimulation"
584:Royal Institution Christmas Lecture
569:(in French). Paris: BĂ©ranger. 1901.
523:Institution of Electrical Engineers
377:Royal Institution Christmas Lecture
338:City and Guilds of London Institute
178:Institution of Electrical Engineers
168:City and Guilds of London Institute
13:
1237:Presidents of the Physical Society
1207:Alumni of the University of London
1024:
14:
1258:
1197:People educated at Bootham School
1137:
1077:Shipley, Brian C. (August 2003).
636:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
612:Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
559:(in French). Paris: Baudry. 1886.
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288:give an evening discourse at the
220:, England. He was elected to the
214:City and Guilds Technical College
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1043:, 1917, vol. 77, pp 305–307 –
998:(10). scholarpedia.org: 2936.
793:"AIM25 collection description"
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616:American Philosophical Society
588:Sound: Musical and Non-Musical
396:British Institute of Radiology
294:The Mechanical Action of Light
173:British Institute of Radiology
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1162:Works by Silvanus P. Thompson
1144:Works by Silvanus P. Thompson
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622:
284:On 11 February 1876 he heard
275:University of London external
1227:Fellows of the Royal Society
1217:English electrical engineers
707:
446:Religious Society of Friends
353:Light, Visible and Invisible
253:
7:
1168:(public domain audiobooks)
1083:Canadian Journal of History
712:. Global Vision Pub House.
608:Fellow of the Royal Society
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310:University College, Bristol
163:University College, Bristol
10:
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854:, accessed 8 December 2006
593:
413:commissioned both him and
384:Clinical Society of London
242:as well as biographies of
205:Silvanus Phillips Thompson
1013:10.4249/scholarpedia.2936
556:Dynamo-electric machinery
481:Dynamo-electric Machinery
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1212:Engineers from Yorkshire
972:Encyclopædia Britannica
695:Bootham School Register
606:Thompson was elected a
483:(1884) and the classic
893:10.1093/mnras/77.4.305
697:. York, England: BOSA.
627:Thompson invented the
549:
500:. He also wrote about
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448:, throughout his life
415:Professor Oliver Lodge
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236:infinitesimal calculus
153:Electrical engineering
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462:
409:'s patents, when the
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326:Royal Society of Arts
318:
279:Royal School of Mines
109:Royal School of Mines
1095:10.3138/cjh.38.2.259
940:search.amphilsoc.org
936:"APS Member History"
708:Basu, S. K. (2006).
603:in Bristol, England.
465:Institute of Physics
96:University of London
25:Silvanus P. Thompson
1101:on 22 November 2007
1004:2007SchpJ...2.2936B
966:"Permeameter"
884:1917MNRAS..77..305.
442:The Quest for Truth
355:with an account of
286:Sir William Crookes
226:electrical engineer
924:. Macmillan. 1881.
738:www.britannica.com
550:
516:Christiaan Huygens
486:Calculus Made Easy
473:
438:Society of Friends
434:Swarthmore Lecture
388:William Hale-White
386:on 30 March 1896.
380:
349:Christmas lectures
321:
231:Calculus Made Easy
125:Calculus Made Easy
1148:Project Gutenberg
1129:978-3-88309-615-5
803:on 8 January 2016
511:Treatise on Light
436:delivered to the
290:Royal Institution
202:
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139:Scientific career
130:Invention of the
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1157:Internet Archive
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57:19 June 1851
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1192:1916 deaths
1187:1851 births
797:Aim25.ac.uk
629:permeameter
498:Lord Kelvin
411:Post Office
351:in 1896 on
244:Lord Kelvin
132:permeameter
1181:Categories
1059:printing.
827:Bir.org.uk
779:, London:
762:, London:
642:References
623:Inventions
506:De Magnete
405:attack on
298:radiometer
262:family in
76:1916-06-13
527:magnetism
423:Admiralty
403:Whitehall
254:Biography
189:Signature
92:Education
86:, England
63:, England
1166:LibriVox
575:Lectures
537:Editions
479:(1881),
342:Finsbury
218:Finsbury
1155:at the
1105:20 July
1063:at the
1000:Bibcode
880:Bibcode
832:17 July
807:17 July
594:Honours
548:, 1901
471:, York.
407:Marconi
306:physics
149:Physics
74: (
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945:19 May
744:30 May
716:
531:optics
260:Quaker
145:Fields
128:(1910)
84:London
781:Unwin
764:Unwin
1124:ISBN
1107:2007
947:2021
834:2016
809:2016
746:2024
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