Rumford, Benjamin Thompson, Count, 1753-1814

Rumford, Benjamin Thompson, Count, 1753-1814

 

Dates

  • Existence: 1753 - 1814

Biography

Benjamin Thompson was an American-born British physicist and inventor whose challenges to established physical theory were part of the 19th-century revolution in thermodynamics. He served as lieutenant-colonel of the King's American Dragoons, part of the British Loyalist forces, during the American Revolutionary War. After the end of the war he moved to London, where his administrative talents were recognized when he was appointed a full colonel, and in 1784 he received a knighthood from King George III. A prolific designer, Thompson also drew designs for warships. He later moved to Bavaria and entered government service there, being appointed Bavarian Army Minister and re-organizing the army, and, in 1791, was made a Count of the Holy Roman Empire.

Found in 20 Collections and/or Records:

Benjamin Rumford letter

Rumford Mss 800126
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 800126
Date(s): 1800-01-26
Scope and Contents

Letter from Sir court Benjamin Thomas Rumford of Broadlands, to Thomas Garnett of London mentions Thomas Webster's sketches, his imminent return to London, and Garnett's course of lectures at the Royal Institution.

Benjamin Rumford letter

Rumford Mss 801520
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 801520
Date(s): 1801
Abstract

In English.

Benjamin Rumford letter

Rumford Mss 802216
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 802216
Date(s): 1802-03-16
Abstract

In English.

Benjamin Thompson Rumford letters

Rumford Mss 793528
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 793528
Date(s): 1793-09
Scope and Contents

Sixty-six items from Count Benjamin Thompson Rumford to Lady Palmerston describing travel in Italy, France, German; life in the Bavarian court; references to his experiments with heat, his work in poor-relief, Anglo-French politics; details of his marriage settlement with Mme. Lavoisier. Numerous notables of the period mentioned.

Benjamin Thompson Rumford letters

Rumford Mss 800329
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 800329
Date(s): 1800-05-29 to 1800-05-30
Scope and Contents

Letters from Sir Count Benjamin Thompson Rumford of London to Sir Joseph Banks of London discussing Thomas Garnett's errors in attributing Volta's discoveries to the French; includes draft of Rumford's statement for Garnett to read before the Royal Institution.

Count Benjamin Thomas Rumford letter

Rumford Mss 795602
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 795602
Date(s): 1795-11-02
Scope and Contents

Two page letter from Count Benjamin Thompson Rumford, Power of attorney in London to the President Directors and Company of the Bank of the United States gives his power of attorney for collection of interest on all stocks standing to his name in the books of the Treasury of the United States.

Count Benjamin Thompson Rumford letter

Mss 811658
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 811658
Date(s): 1811-12-08
Scope and Contents

Four-page letter from Count Rumford in Auteuil, near Paris, to James F. Baldwin in Boston, Massachusetts. Rumford sends his power of attorney for management of his US funds, and arranges an annuity for his mother Ruth Pierce.

Count Benjamin Thompson Rumford letter

Mss 795940
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 795940
Date(s): 1795
Scope and Contents

Letters from Count Benjamin Thompson Rumford to Cadell and Davies, London informing them that he arranges for the publication and distribution of three of his essays and requests the receipts of various journals.

Count Sir Benjamin Rumford letter

Rumford Mss 801430
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 801430
Date(s): 1801-07-30
Abstract

In English.

Joseph Henry letter

Rumford Mss 843357.1
 Collection
Identifier: Mss 843357.1
Date(s): 1843-06-07
Abstract

In English.