Celebrating the life of a true polymath

Lord Kelvin drawing

This summer we welcomed guests, members of the public and colleagues from around the world onto campus to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Lord Kelvin and his achievements.

Expert lectures, artistic interpretation and a display of historical items and records all cast new light on Kelvin’s life of invention, innovation and inspiration. A true polymath who made vital contributions to a range of scientific disciplines during his life, he was also a pioneering businessman whose inventions helped drive forward the burgeoning Industrial Revolution.

Today, our researchers continue to draw inspiration from Kelvin’s life and work. We’re making breakthroughs in communications, precision measurement, low-carbon energy and more, building on the remarkable foundations he laid. We’re also inspired by Kelvin's entrepreneurial spirit as we seek to translate our research into innovative solutions to global problems.

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