Papers of Sir Joseph John Thomson (1856-1940), physicist

Joseph John Thomson was born in Cheetham Hill, Manchester on 18 December 1856, the son of James John Thomson, bookseller and publisher and his wife Emma. In 1871 Thomson was admitted to Owens College Manchester where he studies until 1876, when he was awarded an entrance scholarship at Trinity College Cambridge. In 1880 he graduated as Second Wrangler, was 2nd Smith's Prizeman and was made a fellow in the same year. He became a college lecturer at Trinity in 1883 and the following year succeeded Lord Rayleigh as Professor of Experimental Physics.

Thomson's research concerned the passage of electricity through gases. In 1897 he announced his discovery of the electron to an audience at the Royal Institution and in 1912, assisted by F W Aston, he discovered isotopes of neon. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1906

In 1918 Thomson became Master of Trinity, resigning from his chair in favour of Rutherford. However, a personal chair was created to enable him to continue his researches. He died in 1940.

The archive contains little scientific material as by far the greater part of Thomson's scientific papers are deposited in Cambridge University Library. Much of the present archive relates to family life while Master of Trinity. It consists of the following: Personal papers 1874-1956, correspondence and papers (mostly of Lady Thomson) 1872-1951, household accounts 1888-1951, correspondence and papers relating to the Mastership 1918-44, research papers 1893-1934, papers relating to societies and organisations in which Thomson was active 1886-1930, lectures and speeches 1890-1938, publications 1876-1930, visits and conferences 1896-1938, scientific correspondence 1884-1938

The papers were deposited by David Paget Thomson

Please cite as Trinity College Library J J THOMSON

The papers of Thomson's son and collaborator, George Paget Thomson are deposited in Trinity College Library

The papers were catalogued by the NCUACS and a detailed catalogue is available in the Library