William Thomson (later Lord Kelvin) . Born in Belfast, Ireland, this Irish/Scottish physicist began the papers on the laws of conservation and dissipation of energy. He published 661 papers on scientific subjects and patented 70 inventions.

Knighted (as Lord Kelvin) by Queen Victoria for his work on the electrical engine, he was in charge of laying the first successful transatlantic cable in 1866. He was educated at the University of Glasgow and Cambridge University.