William Edward Ayrton (14 September 1847 - 8 November 1908) was a British physicist. September 14 is the 257th day of the year (258th in leap years). ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... November 8 is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 53 days remaining. ... 1908 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The word physicist should not be confused with physician, which means medical doctor. ...

He was born in London, educated at University College, London, and in 1868 went out to Bengal in the service of the Indian Government Telegraph department. In 1873 he was appointed professor of physics and telegraphy at the Imperial College of Engineering, Tokyo. On his return to London six years later he became professor of applied physics at the Finsbury College of the City and Guilds of London Technical Institute, and in 1884 he was chosen professor of electrical engineering at the Central Technical College, South Kensington. He published, both alone and jointly with others, a large number of papers on physical, and in particular electrical, subjects, and his name was especially associated, together with that of Professor John Perry, with the invention of a long series of electrical measuring instruments. He died in London in 1908. The Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster which contains Big Ben London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... The Front Quad University College London, commonly known as UCL, is one of the colleges that make up the University of London. ... 1868 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... A database query syntax error has occurred. ... 1873 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Long a symbol of Tokyo, the Nijubashi Bridge at the Imperial Palace. ... The City and Guilds of London Institute was founded by the London Livery Companies for the purpose of training craftsmen and engineers in 1878. ... South Kensington is an area in West London - it straddles the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the City of Westminster. ... Categories: Stub | 1850 births | 1920 deaths ...

His wife, Mrs Hertha Ayrton, whom he married in 1885, assisted him in his researches, and became known for her scientific work on the electric arc and other subjects. The Royal Society awarded her one of its Royal medals in 1906.

References

• Graham Gooday's entry in the New Dictionary of National Biography
• "Professor W. E. Ayrton,1847-1908: the Never-resting keen-eyed chief", by Ian Ruxton, Chapter 15, Britain & Japan: Biographical Portraits, Volume IV, edited by Hugh Cortazzi, published by Japan Library, 2002, pp. 165-173. ISBN 190335014X