The Famous Faces of Clan Thom(p)son

Sir William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, was born on the 26th of June 1824 in Belfast. Thomson was of Ulster-Scots heritage and was a famous mathematical physicist and engineer. A student at the University of Glasgow, much of Thomson's work focused on the mathematical analysis of electricity and took great strides in creating the discipline of physics in its modern form.

Thomson was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1866 for his work on the transatlantic telephone project, becoming Sir William Thomson. In 1892, he was anointed as a British noble in recognition of his work towards thermodynamics and opposition to Irish Home Rule. Through his ennoblement, Thomson became Baron Kelvin of Largs and was the first British scientist to have been elevated to the House of Lords. The title Kelvin refers to the River Kelvin which flows near his laboratory near the University of Glasgow.

Although Thomson had many offers from some of the world's leading universities, he chose to remain in his beloved Glasgow. He served at the university as a professor of natural philosophy for over 50 years, before his death in 1907. To commemorate his great work, a statue of Thomson was erected in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park in 1908, nearby his beloved University of Glasgow.

David Couper Thomson was born on the 6th of August 1861, in Newport-on-Tay, Fife. Thomson was raised in his hometown, before being sent to Glasgow to work in the family shipping business. His father, William Thomson, was a successful draper and shipowner, who became the major shareholder of the Dundee Courier and Daily Argus in his later life. In 1886, Thomson returned to Dundee to become the General Manager of the newspaper.

Thomson created the world-renowned publishing company, D.C. Thomson, in 1905. The company first started printing comic strips in its weekly newspaper, The Sunday Post, where it featured stories from 'The Broons' and 'Oor Wullie'. The success of these comic strips seen the creation of 'The Beano' and 'The Dandy' magazines which featured stories from several different characters, namely, Dennis the Menace and Desperate Dan. 'The Beano', is the longest-running British children's comic magazine, first published on the 30th of July 1938, it can still be found on the shelves of newsagents today.

Thomson was less involved in the company after 1933 but remained chairman until his death, aged 93, in 1954.

Dame Emma Thompson was born in London on the 15th of April 1959. She is the daughter of English actor Eric Thompson and Scottish actress, Phyllida Law. Thompson was educated at Newham College, University of Cambridge, where she joined the Footlights Drama Club.

An actress, screenwriter, activist, author, and comedian, Thompson has had much success throughout her illustrious career. Though she is perhaps best known for her roles in the films, Saving Mr. Banks, Love Actually, Nanny MacPhee, Brave, and Beauty and the Beast. A winner of several awards, Thompson is the only person to have received Academy Awards for both acting and writing. In 2018, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, for her services to drama. Outwith performing, Thompson is married to actor Greg Wise and is a keen activist in the areas of human rights and environmentalism.

Elaine Thompson-Herah was born in Manchester, Jamaica on the 28th of June 1992. Thompson is a track and field sprinter who rose to prominence at the Rio De Janerio Olympic Games in 2016. During these games, she completed a rare sprint double winning both the 100m and 200m races. This was the first time that this had been achieved since the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Thompson currently ranks as the fifth-fastest woman in the 200m and tied 4th fastest woman in the 100m.

Francis Morgan Ayodélé "Daley" Thompson was born in Notting Hill, London, on the 30th of July 1958. He is an English former decathlete and is widely regarded as one of the greatest decathletes of all time. Thompson won the decathlon gold medal at the Olympic Games in 1980 and 1984 and broke the world record for the event four times

Throughout his childhood, he dreamed of becoming a professional footballer but later switched his focus to athletics. He was forced to retire from athletics in 1992 due to a persistent injury, which allowed him to pursue a career in football. Thompson played football throughout the 90s, notably for Mansfield Town and Stevenage F.C., before becoming a fitness coach with Wimbledon F.C. and Luton Town

Thompson was known for his big persona and won BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1982. In 1983, he was appointed a Member of the British Empire and promoted to a Commander of the British Empire in 2000.