Rayleigh, John William Strutt, baron, 1842-1919

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John William Strutt, the Third Baron Rayleigh, an English physicist, was born in Terling, Essex, in 1842. He attended Cambridge University and in 1879 became professor of experimental physics there and director of its Cavendish Laboratory until 1884. He later was on the faculty at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, became chancellor of Cambridge University, and was a founder of the National Physics Laboratory in Teddington, England. Strutt, who with Lord William Ramsey, discovered the first rare atmospheric gas, argon, was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics in 1904. He is also credited with explaining why the sky is blue (Rayleigh scattering) and predicting the existence of surface waves (Rayleigh waves). Lord Rayleigh died in Witham, Essex in 1919.

From the description of John William Strutt Rayleigh collection, 1865-1976. (US Air Force Academy). WorldCat record id: 476882074

Physicist (electricity, kinetic theory, optics). Director of Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge University (1879-1884); on the natural philosophy faculty at Royal Institution of Great Britain (1887); Cambridge University chancellor (1908); and a founder of the National Physics Laboratory, Teddington, England.

From the description of Papers, 1860-1870. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 77716306

From the description of Papers, 1871-1919 (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155003986

From the description of Papers. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 84317563

Physicist (electricity, kinetic theory, optics). Director of Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge University, 1879-1884; on the natural philosophy faculty at Royal Institution of Great Britain, 1887; Cambridge University chancellor, 1908; and a founder of the National Physics Laboratory, Teddington, England.

From the description of On the light from the sky, its polarization and colour, 1870. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 78638237

Physicists (electricity, kinetic theory, optics). Director of Cavendish Laboroatry, Cambridge University (1879-1884); on the natural philosophy faculty at Royal Institution of Great Birtain (1887); Cambridge University chancellor (1908); and a founder of the National Physics Laboratory, Teddington, England.

From the description of Papers, [microform], 1864-1919. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 154306463

Educated at Trinity College Cambridge and graduated as Senior Wrangler 1865. Smith's Prizeman 1865, Fellow of Trinity. Succeeded as 3rd Baron Rayleigh 1873. Cavendish Professor of Physics at Cambridge, 1879-184. Secretary to Royal Society 1887-1896. Royal medal 1882. Copley Medal 1899. O. M. P. C. Nobel Prize 1904. 38th President of the Royal Society 1905-1908.

From the description of Items in various series of The Royal Society, 1870-1908. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 78225755

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Birth 1842-11-12

Death 1919-06-30

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English

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