William John Macquorn Rankine (1820-1872) was a Scottish engineer and physicist known for his contributions to thermodynamics and civil engineering. He is best recognized for the Rankine cycle, a thermodynamic cycle that describes the operation of steam engines and power plants. His work laid the foundation for modern engineering practices. Rankine also made significant advancements in the field of structural engineering, particularly with the development of the Rankine's formula for calculating the stability of columns. His writings, including the influential book "A Manual of Applied Mechanics," helped disseminate engineering knowledge during the 19th century.