Katherine Mary Clerk Maxwell (1824 – 12 December 1886) was a distinguished Scottish physical scientist whose collaborative work with her husband, James Clerk Maxwell, significantly advanced the fields of color vision and gas viscosity. Born in Glasgow to Susan Place and Reverend Daniel Dewar, Principal of Marischal College, Aberdeen, Katherine’s early life remains sparsely documented. In her early thirties, she met James Clerk Maxwell, who was then a professor at Marischal College. Their acquaintance blossomed into a partnership, culminating in their marriage on 2 June 1858 in Aberdeen.
Katherine played a pivotal role in experimental physics, particularly in the realms of color vision and gas viscosity. In her husband’s 1860 paper, “On the Theory of Compound Colours, and the Relations of the Colours of the Spectrum,” James references observations from two individuals: himself (denoted as ‘J’) and another labeled ‘K’, who was Katherine. Their joint experiments involved intricate setups to analyze color mixing, with Katherine’s observations providing critical data that informed theories on color vision and the phenomenon of color blindness.
Beyond optics, Katherine’s contributions extended to the study of gas viscosity. James acknowledged her assistance in his experiments on the kinetic theory of gases, noting that she “did all the real work of the kinetic theory” and was actively engaged in related research. Her meticulous efforts, such as maintaining constant temperatures during experiments, were instrumental in ensuring the accuracy of their findings.
The Maxwells shared a profound Christian faith and a passion for horseback riding, often embarking on rides together near their estate. Their partnership was characterized by mutual respect and intellectual collaboration, with Katherine nursing James through illnesses and supporting his academic pursuits. After James’s death in 1879, Katherine continued her work in their Cambridge home until her passing in 1886. She was laid to rest beside her husband in Parton, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
Katherine Clerk Maxwell’s legacy stands as a testament to the vital but often overlooked contributions of women in 19th-century science. Her own experimental work in optics and gas dynamics played a crucial role in advancing physics, and her research – both independently and in collaboration – helped shape foundational scientific discoveries that influenced generations to come.