
The narrative follows the life of a pioneering physicist whose early years were shaped by a family rooted in Irish agriculture and a father who rose to become a respected mathematics professor. It paints a vivid picture of his schooling, the influence of his father's academic career, and the intellectual climate of early‑19th‑century Britain.
Moving into his own career, the account details his groundbreaking work on thermodynamics, electricity, and the measurement of the Earth’s magnetic field. Through clear explanations and occasional classroom anecdotes, listeners gain insight into how his experiments and theoretical insights helped lay the foundations for modern engineering and scientific standards.
Interwoven with personal recollections, the book also explores his role as an educator and public intellectual, showing how he communicated complex ideas to students and policymakers alike. The result is a richly illustrated, accessible portrait that brings the spirit of Victorian science to life for anyone curious about its lasting impact.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (507K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Laura Wisewell, Turgut Dincer, Tamise Totterdell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (The original copy of this book was generously made available for scanning by the Department of Mathematics at the University of Glasgow.)
Release date
2012-04-04
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1847–1925
A Scottish physicist and mathematician, he worked closely with Lord Kelvin before building a distinguished academic career of his own. His books on electrical measurement and mathematical physics helped shape how these subjects were taught and studied.
View all books
by Walter Kellogg Towers