Benjamin ThompsonBenjamin Thompson, also known as Count Rumford, was born in Woburn, Massachusetts, to Ruth Simonds and Benjamin Thompson. Educated at Harvard College, Thompson displayed an early fascination with experimental science and mechanical design. His loyalt to the British Crown during the American War of Independence led him to join the Loyalist forces, eventually commanding the King's American Dragoons. After relocating to Europe, he entered the service of the Elector of Bavaria, where his administrative reforms and scientific innovations gained widespread recognition. Thompson's studies on heat, energy, and the nature of combustion challenged existing theories and laid the groundwork for modern thermodynamics. His inventions, such as the improved fireplace and efficient cooking methods, reflected his interest in practical solutions for social improvement. Appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society, he later married Marie-Anne Paulze Lavoisier, the widow of the renowned chemist Antoine Lavoisier. Throughout his life, Thompson sought to apply scientific reasoning to public welfare, merging experimental precision with civic reform. He died in Paris in 1814, leaving a legacy that bridged science, social progress, and humanitarian service. Read More Read Less