~ a brief biographical sketch by ~ Carl J. Wenning BENJAMIN THOMPSON ~ a brief biographical sketch by ~ Carl J. Wenning
Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford American-British physicist Born: Woburn, MA, March 26, 1753 Died: Auteuil (near Paris) France, August 21, 1814.
Most notable accomplishments Developed theory of heat to explain “boring of canon” Mechanical motion accounts for heat First of consider heat flow responsible for phase change in H2O.
Worthy of Note Rumford = Concord Spy for British during American revolution Sold British war secrets to French; fled to Fr from GB in 1783 Fled to Bavaria then back to England Started the Royal Institution