Sir Thomas Muir, 1844 - 1934
Thomas Muir was born on August 25, 1844, at Stonebyres, Falls of Clyde, in Lanarkshire. He was brought up at Biggar, a neighbouring small country town, where his father followed the trade of souter and is still remembered for taking part with Gladstone’s uncle in bringing about a notable schism in the Church. The boy was educated at Wishaw public school, whence he proceeded to the University of Glasgow, where he came under the influence of Kelvin, who quickly recognized his uncommon mathematical ability. Probably it was largely owing to this influence that Muir turned from what promised to be a brilliant classical career to mathematics, his favourite subject at school and college having been Greek. Seventy years later Muir remarked to a friend, “ I remember Lord Kelvin showing me the first gramophone ” ; and again, “ the great man I define as the man who does not alter, who always has control, who alters others.”