The Man Who Changed Everything: The Life of James Clerk Maxwell

‘Since Maxwell’s time, physical reality has been thought of as represented by continuous fields, and not capable of any mechanical interpretation. This change in the conception of reality is the most profound and the most fruitful that physics has experienced since the time of Newton.’ –Albert Einstein ‘He is easily, to physicists, the most magical figure of the nineteenth century.’  –Times Literary Supplement

Preface. Acknowledgements. Chronology: principal events in Maxwell’s life. Cast of characters: Maxwell’s relations and close friends. Introduction. 1. A country boy: Glenlair 1831–1841. 2. Pins and string: Edinburgh Academy 1841–1847. 3. Philosophy: Edinburgh University 1847–1850 4. Learning to juggle: Cambridge 1850–1854. 5. Blue and yellow make pink: Cambridge 1854–1856. 6. Saturn and statistics: Aberdeen 1856–1860. 7. Spinning cells: London 1860–1862. 8. The beautiful equations: London 1862–1865. 9. The Laird at home: Glenlair 1865–1870. 10. The Cavendish: Cambridge 1870–1879. 11. Last days. 12. Maxwell’s legacy. Notes. Bibliography. Index.

Basil Mahon is a former officer in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and a graduate in Engineering. He is a retired Government Civil Servant and ran the 1991 census in England and Wales. He has a long–time passion for the physical sciences and has for many years been fascinated by the impact that Maxwell has had on all our lives.

"This is a wonderful, short biography that gives a vivid account of James Clerk Maxwell′s life and work." ( Materials Today , June 2004) "...an absorbing account of Maxwell′s life and work" ( Sunday Telegraph Review , 19 th September 2004) "...provides the reader with the opportunity to understand Maxwell′s contributions to modern science and technology." ( The Mathematical Gazette , March 2005) "...a fascinating book about an inspiring man..." ( Journal of Raman Spectroscopy , Vol.36, No.3, March 2005)