Description:

James Clerk Maxwell
Aberdeen, Scotland, December 3, 1856
James Clerk Maxwell Letter of Recommendation for Isaac Taylor, Radical Priest & Philologist
ALS

A letter of recommendation from Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell. 2pp of a bifolium, measuring 4.5" x 7", Aberdeen (Marischal College), dated December 3, 1856. Signed "James Clerk Maxwell" and addressed to an unknown recipient. Maxwell gives a glowing recommendation of Isaac Taylor, with whom he became friends at Cambridge. On mourning stationery. Flattened mail folds and faint edge wear. Boldly signed. Very fine overall. Letters from James Clerk Maxwell are scarce.

Reading in full:
"I became intimately acquainted with Mr. Isaac Taylor during his residence at Cambridge. I had frequent opportunities of conversing with him upon mathematical subjects; and I have now great pleasure in stating, that I know him to be a man of varied and extensive reading, possessed of great ingenuity in the application and illustration of principles, and singularly felicitous in his manner of presenting his subject under every aspect of which it is capable. To these qualifications he adds the not less important one of thoroughly appreciating the difficulties of others, and adapting his explanations to their necessities."

James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) was a Scottish physicist best known for his formulation of electromagnetic theory. He is regarded by most modern physicists as the scientist of the 19th century who had the greatest influence on 20th-century physics, and he is ranked with Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein for the fundamental nature of his contributions.

Isaac Taylor (1829-1901) was a philologist, toponymist, and Anglican canon of York. His father, Isaac Taylor Sr. (1787-1865) was a famed inventor, philosopher, and historical writer in his own right. Taylor attended Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1849 and graduated in 1853. Taylor's chief interest was in philological and theological research, and he published several controversial pamphlets and books such as "The Liturgy and the Dissenters" (1860), "Words and Places" (1864), "Etruscan Researches" (1874), and "Greeks and Goths" (1879).

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 4.5" x 7"
  • Medium: ALS

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