The name of James Clerk Maxwell is well-known to scientists and science students as perhaps one of the two or three greatest physicists of all time. In his brief 48 years of life (1831 – 1879) his contributions to the field of science are truly breathtaking.
Perhaps his greatest scientific achievement was the development of a comprehensive theoretical and mathematical framework of electromagnetic field theory which according to Henry Morris embraced “all types of energy systems (excepting gravity and nuclear forces) within the famous ‘electromagnetic wave spectrum.’”1 So significant was this achievement that Morris went on to quote Albert Einstein who called Maxwell’s accomplishment: “the most profound and most fruitful that physics has experienced since the time of Newton.”2 Not only that but according to Ann Lamont: “Maxwell’s major aim in his research on electricity and magnetism was to produce the mathematical framework underlying Faraday’s experimental results and his ideas on field theory. The four mathematical equations Maxwell produced are ranked with Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of motion and Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity as the most fundamental contributions to physics.”3
In addition, his scientific resume included extending classical thermodynamics into the broader field of statistical thermodynamics, contributing important advances in the field of optics and color vision, and many other notable contributions in physics and mathematics. And to show you how one scientist’s work influences future scientist’s achievements Ann Lamont adds the following insightful comment: “Maxwell is widely acknowledged as the nineteenth century scientist whose work had the greatest influence on twentieth century physics. His electromagnetic theory and its associated field equations ‘paved the way for Einstein’s special theory of relativity, which established the equivalence of mass and energy. Maxwell’s ideas also ushered in the other major innovation of 20th century physics, the quantum theory.’”4
But Maxwell’s amazing intellect was complimented wonderfully by his deep humility and Christian character. His mother, up until she passed away when James was only eight years-old, taught James the Bible. In fact, his memory was so amazing that by that young age he memorized all of Psalm 119 (176 verses). Again, Ann Lamont shares how a mother’s love and teachings can have a profound impact on an individual later in life when she states: “His mother taught him to see God’s scientific genius and compassionate hand in the beauties of nature. This conviction that there was complete harmony between scientific investigation and God’s teachings in the Bible had a great influence on James’ life and work.”5
As Maxwell grew older his Christian belief system and character became obvious to all who knew him. He loved to read the Bible, was an elder at the church he attended, often visited the sick and those who were bed-bound, gave generously of his finances, loved to pray with others, and always demonstrated the upmost integrity in all of his dealings with others. In addition, Maxwell was a staunch defender of the creation account and strongly opposed Darwin’s recent theory of evolution. Near the end of his life, he spent many long days nursing his invalid wife. One of Maxwell’s biographers, J.G. Crowther, shares the following poignant account of this incident as well as his own failing health: “During the last years of his life, his wife was an invalid. He nursed her personally with the most assiduous care…. When the earlier symptoms of his own fatal disease became evident to himself, he told no one of them for a long time. As he grew worse and suffered severe pain he never complained, except that he would not be able to continue to nurse his sick wife.”6
According to Mulfinger: “For those closest to Maxwell, his Christian testimony outshone even his splendid scientific contributions. His doctor said, ‘I must say he is one of the best men I have ever met, and a greater merit than his scientific attainments is his being, so far as human judgment can discern, a most perfect example of a Christian gentleman.’”7
Maxwell died far too young of abdominal cancer – but his legacy will last for eternity!
1 Henry M. Morris, Men of Science: Men of God (El Cajon, California: Master Books, 1988), p. 67.
2Ibid. p. 67.
3 James Clerk Maxwell – creation.com
4 James Clerk Maxwell – creation.com
5 James Clerk Maxwell – creation.com
6 James Clerk Maxwell – creation.com
7 George Mulfinger & Julia Mulfinger Orozco, Christian Men of Science. (Greenville, SC: Ambassador Emerald International, 2001), pp. 207-208.