Events To Honour Scots Scientist

The work of pioneering Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell will be honoured with a series of events this year. The legacy of the 19th-century physicist who inspired Albert Einstein is being celebrated as part of the UN's International Year of Light 2015. The Scottish Government has announced extra funding of £50,000 for the country's four science centres in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Learning and Science Minister Dr Alasdair Allan said: The legacy of James Clerk Maxwell's pioneering work is all around us."His electromagnetic theory enabled virtually all modern electronic, radio and photonic technologies - smartphones, colour photography and X-rays all depend on his work." Our science centres and festivals will be hosting a range of events to remind visitors from around the country and beyond what a great contribution James Clerk Maxwell made to science and society. The huge impact of his work is the perfect example of how an interest in science can change the way you perceive the world."I am delighted we are able to support the centres and festivals to shine a light on one of our greatest icons through events that will bring science alive to more people across the country.'' The International Year of Light is aimed at raising awareness of optical technologies and how they can be used to tackle challenges in energy, education, agriculture, communications and health. The celebration is partly being held this year to mark the 150th anniversary of Clerk Maxwell's 1865 theory of classical electromagnetism. Professor Martin Hendry, of Glasgow University, is co-ordinating Scotland's International Year of Light activities. He said: The International Year of Light provides an ideal opportunity to highlight both the ground-breaking historical contributions of James Clerk Maxwell - often referred to as ''Scotland's forgotten Einstein - and the world-leading research in photonics and light related technology ongoing in Scotland today.''