| RefNo | MS/603/10/131 |
| Previous numbers | 1903 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from D'Arcy W [Wentworth] Thompson, 44 South Street, St Andrews, to [Joseph] Larmor |
| Creator | Thompson; Sir D'Arcy Wentworth (1860-1948); British zoologist and classical scholar |
| Recipient | Larmor; Sir Joseph (1857-1942); Irish theoretical physicist |
| Date | 25 September 1920 |
| Description | It was good of Larmor to send the reprint of 'Matter and Motion', despite his chaffing. Thompson was in [Peter Guthrie] Tait's class a year after it was originally published and Tait never tired of talking about it; it influenced his lectures greatly, he supposes. Thompson wishes that Larmor's biographical note had been longer. Larmor cannot help writing from a Cambridge point of view, but M [James Clark Maxwell] had written one big and original paper at nineteen. He was not educated at home, but like Tait, came from the Edinburgh Academy. The Academy taught next to nothing, and yet turned out scientific men, which it no longer does. He refers to a quoted passage from 'Paradise Lost' wondering of by 'soft axle', 'swift axle' is meant. They have been wondering who will be next Principal, the decision delayed by the Secretary of State. He put in his own name, but the rumour is they will get a theologian, Wallace Williamson of St. Giles. Thompson 'should uncommonly like the job', discoursing on what needs to be done. |
| Extent | 3p. |
| Format | Typescript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA6267 | Thompson; Sir; D'Arcy Wentworth (1860 - 1948); naturalist; mathematician | 1860 - 1948 |