James Thomson was an Irish mathematician, notable for his role in the formation of the thermodynamics school at Glasgow University.
Background
Born on 13 November 1786, he was fourth son of James Thomson, a small farmer at Annaghmore, near Ballynahinch, County Down (the house was later called Spamount), by his wife, Agnes Nesbit. His early education was from his father. His father sent him to a school at Ballykine, near Ballynahinch, kept by Samuel Edgar, father of John Edgar.
Career
At the age of eleven or twelve he had found out for himself the art of dialling. Here Thomson soon rose to be an assistant. He graduated Master of Arts in 1812, and in 1814 he was appointed headmaster of the school of arithmetic, bookkeeping, and geography in the newly established Academical Institution, Belfast.
And in 1815 he was professor of mathematics in its collegiate department.
Here he proved himself as a teacher. In 1829 the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him by the university of Glasgow, where in 1832 he was appointed professor of mathematics.
He held this post till his death on 12 January 1849. James (1822–1892) and William, afterwards Lord Kelvin (1824–1907), were the two elder sons.