Lord Kelvin – a celebration
25th September 5.15 to 8pm
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This year our Soiree will be focussed on Lord Kelvin (1824-1907). He was a key figure in the history of the Society, and this year is the 200th anniversary of his birth. Lord Kelvin (William Thomson) is an internationally renowned scientist. He held the Chair of Natural Philosophy at the University of Glasgow for 53 years and was President of the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow on two occasions (1856-58 and 1874-1877). He gave several lectures to the Society copies of which can be found on the following website:
https://archive.org/details/proceedingsofphi60phil/page/274/mode/2up?view=theater&dm_t=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C0&q=Thomson
The soiree will take place at Glasgow University on Wednesday 25th September 2024. The evening will begin with a lecture on Lord Kelvin starting at 5.15pm. This will be given by Professor Martin Hendry, Professor of Gravitational Astrophysics and Cosmology at Glasgow University, who has a longstanding interest in Lord Kelvin and his legacy.
More information on Kelvin’s association with Glasgow and with the University can be found
https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/lordkelvin200/about/
https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/lordkelvin200/campus/
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The lecture will take place in the Humanity Lecture Theatre, the most historic and atmospheric lecture theatre in the University. It is located in the south-west corner of the West Quadrangle of the Gilbert Scott Building (see map). It overlooks Professors’ Square, where Kelvin lived from 1870-1899.
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Kelvin most likely lectured in this theatre himself. Its 17th century pews also were transferred from the Old College when the University moved from its original site on the High Street Gilmorehill site in 1870. So, Kelvin quite probably sat on the pews as a young student in the Old College (note – cushions were added when the lecture theatre was restored in 2018).
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The lecture will be followed by drinks and canapes in the nearby magnificent Hunterian Museum, where there will be the opportunity to look round the museum, and of course in particular the display dedicated to the life and work of Lord Kelvin.
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The price is £25 per member.
If you would like to attend please email info@royalphil.org or write to RPSG, 15 Lanark Street, Glasgow G1 5PY.
Please book and pay by the 31st August
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