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Discovery, 1897
Biography of JJ Thomson (1856-1940)

Photograph of JJ Thomson in his study JJ (as he was always known), 1897
(Source: Science Museum (www.nmsi.ac.uk/))

Born in Manchester in 1856, Joseph John Thomson studied at Owen's College (now Manchester University). He moved to Cambridge to study mathematics where, in 1884, aged 27, he became Cavendish Professor of Physics and head of the Cavendish Laboratory. The Laboratory had opened in 1874 with James Clerk Maxwell, well-known for his work on electricity and magnetism, the first Cavendish Professor.

Physics research students at Cambridge

Physics research students at Cambridge, June 1932. JJ is fifth from the left in the front row. Other famous names in the picture include : Massey (second row, third from left), Chadwick (front row, third from left), Rutherford (on JJ's left) and Cockroft (end of front row - right).
(Source: Science Museum)

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