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James Clerk Maxwell

1831–1879 · Mathematical physicist

Portrait of James Clerk Maxwell
Unknown authorUnknown author · Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Bio

Scottish physicist who unified electricity, magnetism and light in a single theory, published in the 1860s as a set of equations describing the electromagnetic field. His prediction of electromagnetic waves was confirmed experimentally after his death and enabled radio and later telecommunications. He also contributed to the kinetic theory of gases and produced the first durable colour photograph in 1861.