Historical Corner

Giuseppe Pelosi University of Florence

Via di Santa Marta, 3 1-50139 Florence, Italy

Tel: 055-4796-759; Fax: 055-4796-767 E-mail: giuseppe.pelosi@unifi.it.g.pelosi@ieee.org

A Tribute to James Clerk Maxwell

on the 150th Anniversary of His Equations

(1864-2014) Foreword by the Associate Editor

This December issue of the Historical Corner of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine cannot be anything

less that our humble tribute to James Clerk Maxwell. Indeed,

in December 20 14 there is a very important anniversary. It

was exactly 1 50 years (December 8, 1 864) since James Clerk

Maxwell [Edinburgh, Scotland, June 1 3 , 1 83 1 - Cambridge,

England, November 5, 1 879] presented his dissertation, A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field, in which he

introduced the equations now bearing his name. The disserta­

tion was submitted on October 27, 1 864 . It was given to the

public on December 8, 1 864, and published in January 1 865 in

the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (Volume 1 55 , pp. 459-5 12 ; see Figure 1 ) .

In the Historical Corner of the IEEE Antennas Propagation Magazine, and in particular, in the "Foreword by the Associate

Editor," this event has already been mentioned in Volume 54,

No. 3, pp. 248-249, June 20 12, and Volume 54, No. 5, pp. 25 1 -252, October 20 12 . Furthermore, recently in the Magazine, several papers were published on James Clerk Maxwell and his

equations. Among these were the following:

T. K. Sarkar and D. L. Sengupta, "Maxwell, Hertz, the

Maxwellians, and the Early History of Electromagnetic Waves,"

IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, 50 , 1 , April 2003,

pp. l 3 - 1 9 (feature article)

G. Pelosi, "James Clerk Maxwell: His Journey to Italy, and

the First Color Photograph," IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, 50 , 1 , February 2008, pp. 240-243 (Historical Cor­

ner)

IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, Vol. 56, No.6, December 2014

T. K. Sarkar, M. Salazar-Palma, and D. L. Sengupta, "Who

Was James Clerk Maxwell and What Was and Is His Electro­

magnetic Theory?," IEEE Antennas and Propagation Maga­zine, 51 , 4, August 2009, pp. 97- 1 1 6 (feature article)

V. Cantoni and A. P. Morando, "Pavia, April 28-29, 1 878: Volta Anniversary and Honorary Degree for Maxwell," IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, 53, 1 , February 20 1 1 , pp. 205-2 1 0 (Historical Corner; in this paper, letters written by

Maxwell, recently discovered and hence not contained in the

comprehensive book by P. M. Harman, The Scientific Letters and Papers of James Clerk Maxwell, (Cambridge University

Press) were published for the first time)

V. Cantoni and M. Mosconi, "Pavia 1 878: Volta Celebrations

and Honorary Degrees. The Exhibition at the University of

Pavia's Historical Archive," IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, 53, 6, December 20 1 1 , pp. 225-230 (Historical

Corner)

E. Agastra and S. Selleri, "1. C. Maxwell's Forerunners:

Riccardo Felici," IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, 54 , 3, June 20 12 , pp. 250-257 (Historical Corner)

J. W. Arthur, "The Evolution of Maxwell's Equations from

1 862 to the Present Day," IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, 55, 3 , 20 1 3 , pp. 6 1 - 8 1 (feature article)

This special section of the Historical Corner presents two

papers. The first is by O. M. Bucci, entitled "From Electro­

magnetism to Electromagnetic Field: The Genesis of Maxwell's

Equations." Prof. Bucci recently gave a lecture on "The Birth

of Maxwell's Equations" at the 44th European Microwave

295

PHILOSOPHICAL

TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

ROYAL SOCIETY

OF

LONDON.

FOR THE YEAR MDCCCLXV.

VOL. 155.

LONDON: PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, RED LION COUR1', FLEh""X Sl'REE1'.

11 DCCCr.XV.

[ 459 ]

VIII. A D!!namical Theor!! of the Eleotromagnetio Field. B!! J. CLERK MAXWELL, F.R.S.

Received October 2i,-Rcnd December 8, ]864-.

PART L-INTRODUCTOllY.

(1) THE most obvious mechanical phenomenon in electrical and magnetical experiments

is the mutual action by which bodies in certain states set each other in motion while still at a sensible distance from each other. The first step, therefore, in reducing these phenomena into scientific form, is to ascertain the magnitude and direction of the force acting between the bodies, and when it is found that this force dcpenns in a certain way upon the relative position of the bodies and OIl their electric or magnetic condition , it seems at first sight natural to explain the facts by assuming the existence of some­thing either at rest 01' in motion in each body, constituting its electric or magnetic state, and capable of acting at a distance according to mathematical laws.

In this way mathematical theories of statical electricity, of magnetism, of the mecha­nical action between conductors carrying currents, and of the induction of currents have been formed. In these theories the force acting between the two bodies is treated with

reference only to the condition of the bodies and their relative position, and without any express consideration of the sUlTounding medium.

These theories assume, more 01' less explicitly, the existence of substances the parti­cles of which have the property of acting ou one another at a distance by attraction or repulsion. The most complete development of a theory of this kind is that of, M. VV. WEBER*, who h"" made the same theory include electrostatic and electromagnetic

phenomena. In doing so, however, he has found it necessary to assume that the force between

two electric particles depends on their relative velocity, as well as on their distance. This theory, as developed by MM. W. WEBER and C. NEUMANN'I', is exceedingly

ingenious, and wonderfully comprehensive in its, application to the phenomena of statical electricity, electromagnetic attractions, induction of currcnts "ap.� diamagnetic phenomena ; and it comes to us with the more authority, as it has served to guide thc speculations of one who has made so great an advance in the practical part of electric science, both by introducing a consistent system of units in elcctrica(measurement, and

by actually determining ·electrical quantities with an accuracy hitherto unknown .

• Electrodynamischc MnU8sbcstimmungen. Lcipzic 'l'�r.a.n8. yol, i. 1840, nnd l'Al'I.Olt'S Scientific lIIcmoirs, vol. ,', nrt. xiv.

t II Explicare tentatur quomodo fiat ut Iuds planum polarizationis per vires e10ctricns ,'c1 magnctico.s dedi­ncinr."-Halis Saxonuffi, 1838.

IIDCCCLXV. 3R

Figure 1 . The first page of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, in which James Clerk Maxwell published his dissertation, A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field. A curiosity: in the same issue can be found papers on extinct mammals, sea water composition, magnetic properties of ironclad battleships, forammifera, frog tongues, and many other topics.

296 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, Vol. 56, No.6, December 2014

"'"f'--

A TLASTIC OCEAN

Figure 2. Scotland was James Clerk Maxwell' s homeland, to which he was always tightly bound. He was born in Edinburgh, where he also studied at the local academia and university. He briefly taught at the University of Aberdeen, and lived much part of his life in the family country house of Glenlair (where an IEEE Milestone was placed).

Conference (EuMA, October 7, 2014). The second paper is by

E. Agastra and S. Selleri, entitled "The Pavers of Maxwell's

Pathway to his Equations."

Maxwell's ties to his homeland, Scotland, are pictured in

Figure 2.

In addition, the cover of this issue of the Magazine is

dedicated to J. C. Maxwell, and deserves some explanation.

Figure 3 provides a numerical key to the cover. Explanations

for the various sections are provided below:

1. A portrait of James Clerk Maxwell [Edinburgh,

Scotland, June 13, 1831 - Cambridge, England,

November 5, 1879]. This photo has important value,

since it portrays J. C. Maxwell in his 30s, and hence

is contemporary to the dissertation being celebrated.

2. This shows 1. C. Maxwell's birthplace, in Edinburgh,

Scotland, at 14 India Street, a house in Edinburgh's

elegant Georgian New Town. The house today is the

home of the James Clerk Maxwell Foundation, and

houses a small museum related to his work. (http://

www.clerkmaxwellfoundation.org)

IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, Vol. 56, No.6, December 2014

3. This shows Glenlair House, Castle Douglas, Kirk­

cudbrightshire, in Dumfries and Galloway, UK.

This was the country house of the Maxwells. Born

in Edinburgh in 1831, James Clerk Maxwell moved

with his father John to Glenlair soon afterwards, and

lived mostly there until his death on November 5,

1879. The right wing in the photograph was built by

J. C. Maxwell. The house was largely destroyed by

fire in 1929, although the oldest part, designed by

Walter Newall, was completely renovated in 1993,

and a visitors' center was established in the original

porch.

4. This is the front page of the Philosophical Transac­tions of the Royal Society of London (155, 1865), in

which James Clerk Maxwell published his disser­

tation, A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field .

5. This shows the Royal Society, where 1. C. Maxwell

gave his lecture, A Dynamical Theory of the Elec­tromagnetic Field . The Royal Society is a self­

governing fellowship of many of the world's most

®

�" . , '''''­�_i'-;

Figure 3. The cover presents Maxwell, his dissertation, and key places. It has a threefold interpretation : On the top-left to bottom-right diagonal of the picture there is the mind, James Clerk Maxwell, and his seminal work; off-diagonal blocks shows key places for Maxwell; and the temporal line of Maxwell' s career can be read clockwise. The key to each numbered section in this figure is given in the text.

297

distinguished scientists, drawn from all areas of

science, engineering, and medicine. The Society

was founded in 1660 to recognize, promote, and

support excellence in science, and to encourage the

development and use of science for the benefit of

humanity. The Society has played a part in some of

the most fundamental, significant, and life-chang­

ing discoveries in scientific history. Royal Society

scientists continue to make outstanding contribu­

tions to science in many research areas. The Royal

Society is the national academy of science in the

UK, and its core are its Fellowship and Foreign

Membership, supported by a dedicated staff in

London and elsewhere. The Fellowship comprises

the most eminent scientists of the UK, Ireland, and

the Commonwealth.

6. A photo of the Old Cavendish Laboratory, the

Department of Physics at the University of Cam­

bridge, part of the University's School of Physical

Sciences. It was opened in 1874 as a teaching

laboratory. It was named to commemorate British

chemist and physicist Henry Cavendish, for

contributions to science, and his relative, William

298

Cavendish, seventh Duke of Devonshire, who

served as Chancellor of the University and donated

money for the construction of the laboratory. Prof.

James Clerk Maxwell was a founder of the lab, and

became the first Cavendish Professor of Physics

in 1871. The Duke of Devonshire had given to

Maxwell, as Head of the Laboratory, the manu­

scripts of Henry Cavendish's unpublished "Electri­

cal Works." The editing and publishing of these was

Maxwell's main scientific work while he was at the

laboratory. Cavendish's work aroused Maxwell's

intense admiration, and he decided to call the

laboratory (formerly known as the Devonshire

Laboratory) the Cavendish Laboratory, and to thus

commemorate both the Duke and Henry Cavendish.

7. James Clerk Maxwell is buried, with his parents and

his wife, within the ruins of the Old Kirk (1592),

which lies in the graveyard of Parton Parish Church

(1834). The Old Kirk, roofless, with just front and

side walls, is shown in the photo. Parton is about

seven miles by road from Maxwell House at

Glenlair.

IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine. Vol. 56, No.6, December 2014