Count Rumford

Count Rumford (1753-1814)

Scientist, Humanitarian, Administrator, Spy and Soldier of Fortune.

Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford) was born in poverty in 1753 in Concord, in Colonial Massachusetts. He travelled to Europe as a young man and spent about 15 years in the employ of the Duke in Munich, Bavaria. Later he was known as Count Rumford, General of the Army in Bavaria, famous scientist, versatile inventor, public benefactor, and a clever spy. He was very interested in scientific ideas, mechanical devices, in experiments involving heat, light, and gunnery. He made original contributions to each of these. He can be seen as an 18th century combination of Indiana Jones and James Bond. See detailed description: www.hsse.uwinnipeg.ca and www.ihpst.uwinnipeg.ca.

Home