Thomson
Thomson names 14 different subjects across the 6 encyclopedias on this shelf. Each is set out below.
Thomson SIR WILLIAM, LORD KELVIN
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
SIR WILLIAM, LORD KELVIN, a British scientist; born in Belfast, ast, Ireland, June 26, 1824; was educated at Glasgow University and Cambridge University; and was Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Glasgow after 1846. He was electrician for the Atlantic cables of 1857-1858 and 1865-1866, being knighted on the successful completion of the latter; was electrical engineer for the French cable (1869), the Brazilian and River Plata cable (1873), the West Indian cables (1875), and the Mackay-Bennett Atlantic cable (1879). He invented the mirror galvanometer and siphon recorder for submarine telegraphy, and various kinds of apparatus for navigation and deep-sea exploration. His scientific papers have been published under the titles "Reprints of Papers on Electrostatics and Magnetism" (1872); "Mathematical and Physical Papers" (1882-1890); "Popular Lectures and Addresses"; "On Heat"; "In 1867, in collabora " "On Elasticity. tion with Professor Tait of Edinburgh, he issued his first volume of "A Treatise on Natural Philosophy" (2d ed. in 2 parts, 1879). From 1846 to 1853 he was editor of the "Cambridge and Dublin in Dailly, Scotland, in 1768. He was Mathematical Journal"; and also connected with the "Philosophical Magazine." He was president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and of the Royal Society of London. He was made an officer of the Legion of Honor (1889) and a peer (1892) and received various degrees, decorations, etc., both at home and from foreign countries. In June, 1895, the Glasgow University celebrated the 50th anniversary of his election to the chair of natural philosophy, one feature being a cable dispatch sent around the world and back in four minutes. He died Dec. 17, 1907.
Thomson SIR CHARLES WY- VILLE, a Scotch biologist
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
SIR CHARLES WY- VILLE, a Scotch biologist; born in Bonsyde, Scotland, March 5, 1830; was educated at the University of Edinburgh and became professor of mineralogy and geology in Queen's College, Belfast, in 1854. In the dredging expeditions of the "Lightning" and "Porcupine" (1868- 1869) he took part, afterward publishing in "The Depths of the Sea" (1869) the substance of his discoveries in regard to the fauna of the Atlantic. In 1869 he became fellow of the Royal Society; in 1870 professor of natural history in the University of Edinburgh. In 1872 he was appointed scientific chief of the "Challenger" expedition, which was absent from England over three years, during which time 68,800 miles were surveyed. On his return he was knighted and drew up for the government a report on the natural history specimens collected on the expedition. But he only lived to publish a preliminary account of the expedition . "The Voyage of the Challenger ' " (1877). He died in Edinburgh, March 10, 1882. THOMSON American author; born in Toronto, Can- , EDWARD WILLIAM, an ada, Feb. 12, 1849. He served in the Union army during the Civil War; returned to Canada; became an engineer and then a journalist. He wrote: Old Man Savarin, and Other Stories"; " "Walter Gibbs," a book for boys; "Between Earth and Sky"; also the metrical portions of M. S. Henry's version of "Aucassin and Nicolette ."
Thomson GEORGE, a Scotch song collector
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
GEORGE, a Scotch song collector; born in Limekilns, Scotland, March 4, 1757; was educated at Banff; removed to Edinburgh, where he was secretary to the "Board of Trustees for the Encouragement of Arts and Manufactures" (1780-1830). In 1792 he formed the idea of collecting every existing Scotch melody, and of giving to the world "all the fine airs both of the plaintive and lively kind." The result appeared in six volumes of Scotch songs, followed by two of Irish songs, and three of Welsh melodies. A large number of well-known authors were engaged to supply words to the melodies-among them Thomas Campbell, Professor Smyth, Sir Walter Scott, and Joanna Baillie but the most prolific writer was the poet Burns, who contributed over 120 songs to the collection. Besides the pianoforte accompaniment, according to Thomson's arrangement, each song was to have a prelude and coda, with accompaniments for violin, flute, and violoncello. For this portion of the work, Thomson secured the services of Pleyel, Kozeluch, Haydn, Beethoven (who received $2,750 for his share of the work), Mozart, Weber, Hummel, Hogarth, and Bishop. The first volume was published three years after the death of Burns. He died in Leith, Scotland, Feb. 18, 1851.
Thomson WILLIAM MCCLURE, an American clergyman
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
WILLIAM MCCLURE, an American clergyman; born in Springfield (now Spring Dale), O., Dec. 31, 1806. In 1833 he went as missionary to Syria and Palestine, remaining till 1876. His chief work, "The Land and the Book" (2 vols. 1859-1860; 3 vols. 1880 1880 1886), is an accepted authority on Palestine and Syria. He has also published: "The Land of Promise"; "Travels in Palestine" (1865). He died in Denver, Col., April 8, 1894. THOMSONITE (after R. D. Thomson), a member of the group of Zeolites. Crystallization, orthorhombic, occurring as individual crystals, but more often in radiated groups, also compact; hardness, 5-5.5; sp. gr. 2.3-2.4; luster, vitreous to pearly; color when pure, snow-white, brit tle; pyro-electric. Composition: Silica, 38.9; alumina, 31.6; lime, 12.9; soda, 4.8; water, 13.8 = 100. Formula, 2SiO2AL₂O (3% CaO + 14 NaO) 21/2 HO. Prof. James D. Dana divides as follows: 1. Ordinary: (1) in regular crystals; (2) in slender prisms, sometimes radiated; (3) radiated fibrous; (4) spherical aggregations of radiated fibers or crystals; ( 5) massive: 2. Mesole: including including scoulerite: 3. Chalilite. Occurs in cavities in old amygdaloidal lavas, and metamorphic rocks.
Thomson ELIHU, an American electrician
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
ELIHU, an American electrician; born in Manchester, England, March 29, 1853; came to the United States; was graduated at the Central High School of Philadelphia in 1870, and taught there as professor of chemistry and mechanics in 1870-1880. In the latter year he resigned to enter the Thomson-Houston and General Electric Companies. Subsequently he secured Cyc. Vol. IX 366. more than 500 patents for inventions which included the Thomson method of electric welding. He was awarded the Grand Prix, in Paris, in 1899 and 1900, for electrical inventions, received the decoration of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, for electrical research, etc.; was a trustee of the Peabody Academy of Science in Salem, Mass., a member of ELIHU THOMSON the Corporation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, Mass.; and a member of many American and foreign electrical engineering and scientific societies. President International Electrical Congress, St. Louis, 1904. President Electro-technical Commission, succeeding Lord Kelvin in 1909. First winner of the Edwin Gold Medal, etc. sion. In 1744 he was appointed sur-
Thomson WILLIAM, an English clergyman
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
WILLIAM, an English clergyman; born in Whitehaven, England, Feb. 11, 1819; was educated at Shrewsbury School and Queen's College, Oxford, rd, of which he was successively fellow, tutor, and head. In 1858 he was chosen preacher of Lincoln's Inn, and in 1859 was appointed one of her majesty's chaplains in ordinary. Two years later (1861) he was raised to the Episcopal bench as Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol; but before he had held the appointment a year, he was transferred to the archbishopric of York. Dr. Thomson was author of a number of works, including: "An Outline of the Necessary Laws of Thought"; "The Atoning Work of Christ, viewed in Relation to some Current Theories"; "Crime and Its Excuses"; "Life in Light of God's Word" (sermons); "Limits of Philosophical Inquiry"; "Design in Nature"; and a series of essays entitled "Word, Work, and Will." He died in York, England, Dec. 25, 1890.
Thomson THOMAS, a Scotch chemist
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
THOMAS, a Scotch chemist; born in Crieff, Scotland, April 12, 1773. He adopted the medical profession, specializing on chemistry. In 1802 he published "System of Chemistry," which obtained rapid success both in Great Britain and on the Continent. It was followed in 1810 by his "Elements of Chemistry," and in 1812 by his "History of the Royal Society." In 1813 he went to London and commenced there a scientific journal, the "Annals of Philosophy." The lectu lectureship (afterward the regius professorship) in chemistry in Glasgow university was conferred on him in 1817. His great work on the atomic theory was published in 1825, under the title of "Attempt to Establish the First Principles of Chemistry by Experiment." In 1830-1831 he published his "History of Chemistry" in two volumes, and in 1836 appeared his "Outlines of Mineralogy." He died in Kilmun, July 2, 1852.
Thomson FRANK, an American engineer
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
FRANK, an American engineer; born in Chambersburg, Pa., July 5, 1841; spent four years in the Altoona shops of the Pennsylvania rail road, where he became an expert mechanical engineer, and during the Civil War rendered valuable assistance as 2d assistant secretary of war, in the construction of bridges and railroads and the transportation of troops. Appointed superintendent of the eastern division of the Philadelphia and Erie railroad in June, 1864; general manager of the department of motive power of the Pennsylvania railroad in 1873; and a year later (July 1, 1874) became general manager of the Pennsylvania railroad system, E. of Pittsburgh and Erie. On Oct. 1, 1882, he became 2d vice-president; in 1888 1st vice-president, and on Feb. 3, 1897, elected president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He died in Merion, Pa., June 5, 1899.
Thomson JAMES, a Scotch poet and journalist
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
JAMES, a Scotch poet and journalist; born in Port Glasgow, Scotland, Nov. 23, 1834. He was brought up in an orphan asylum, and became an army tutor. Most of his life was spent in journalism, and at one time he was special correspondent in Spain for "The World," New York. He suffered much from insomnia, which he made the subject of a powerful poem by that name; and died a victim to the drugs and alcoholic stimulants he used to relieve it. His best-known work is "The City of Dreadful Night" (1870-1874); others of high quality are: "The Doom of a City" (1857), and "Our Ladies of Death" (1861). He died in London, England, June 3, 1882.
Thomson JOSEPH, an English explorer
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
JOSEPH, an English explorer; born in Penpont, Scotland, Feb. 14, 1858; was educated at Edinburgh. When 20 years of age he accompanied Keith Johnston to Central Africa, assuming full charge of the expedition on the death of Mr. Johnston. In 1882 he explored the Royuma river in East Africa, and in 1884 made an important journey through Masai Land, in East Equatorial Africa. Among his other achievements are an expedition to the Atlas mountains, and one to the River Niger. He published: "Through Masai Land," "To the Central African Lakes and Back," "Travels in the Atlas, and Southern Morocco," "Life of Mungo Park," etc. He died in London, Aug. 2, 1895.
Thomson JAMES, a Scotch poet
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
JAMES, a Scotch poet, born in Ednam, Scotland, Sept. 11, 1700. He was educated at Jedburgh School and Edinburgh University, and studied for the ministry. In 1725 he went to London and became a tutor. In 1733 he held a position in the Court of Chancery, and on losing this position was given a penveyor-general of the Leeward Islands, His most famous poem is "The (1726-1730), and next to this "The Castle of Indolence" (1748). He wrote some plays, among them being "Sophonisba" (1730) and "Tancred and Sigismunda" (1745). He died near Richmond, England, Aug. 27, 1748.
Thomson ARTHUR CONOVER, an American bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
ARTHUR CONOVER, an American bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church; born in Fredericksburg, Va., in 1871. He graduated from the Theological Seminary of Virginia in 1893; was ordained deacon in the same year, and priest in 1895. In 1893 he was rector of South Farnham Parish, Rappahannock, Va., then went, in 1895, to the Church of the Resurrection in Cincinnati, Ohio, and finally was rector of Trinity Church, in Portsmouth, Va., from 1899 until 1917. In the latter year he was consecrated suffragan bishop of the diocese of south Virginia, and bishop coadjutor two years later.
Thomson T. KENNARD, an American consulting engineer
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
T. KENNARD, an American consulting engineer, born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1864. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1886, then began an extensive experience in bridge, railroad and foundation work. He was retained for the foundation work in the Commercial Cable building, the Life, United States Express, the Singer and the Municipal buildings in New York City. He was consulting engineer of the Barge canal, and has designed bridges to be built over the Niagara to commemorate the victory of the World War.
Thomson THOMAS, a Scotch antiquary
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
THOMAS, a Scotch antiquary; brother of John Thomson: born called to the Scotch bar in 1793, appointed deputy clerk register 1806, and principal clerk of session in 1828. He was one of the founders of the "Edinburgh Review" and president of the Bannatyne Club, for which and for the Maitland Club he edited numerous valuable works. He died near Edinburgh, Oct. 2, 1852.
What Has Changed in the Last Century
Of the fourteen Thomsons gathered here, one has grown far beyond what Collier's described in 1921. William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, is remembered now less as the cable electrician knighted in 1866 than as the man whose name became a unit: the kelvin is one of the seven SI base units, and since 2019 it has been defined by fixing the Boltzmann constant rather than by the properties of water. Sir Charles Wyville Thomson's Challenger voyage of 1872-76 likewise outgrew its obituary; the deepest known point of the ocean, Challenger Deep, is named for his ship, and the fifty volumes of Challenger reports are still cited as the start of oceanography. Others have quietly faded or shifted: William McClure Thomson's The Land and the Book, called here an accepted authority on Palestine, is now read as a period travel narrative rather than a guide, while George Thomson survives chiefly because Haydn and Beethoven took his commissions, and those folksong settings are recorded and catalogued today under Beethoven's name more than his. Thomsonite remains a recognised zeolite species, though it honours the Glasgow chemist Thomas Thomson.
Written for this edition, 2026.