William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin was a prominent British physicist and engineer born on June 26, 1824. He is best known for his work in thermodynamics and for formulating the Kelvin scale, a temperature scale that starts at absolute zero. Thomson made significant contributions to the understanding of heat and energy, which laid the groundwork for modern physics. In addition to his scientific achievements, Kelvin played a crucial role in the development of the transatlantic telegraph cable. He was also involved in various engineering projects, including the design of the first transatlantic telegraph cable and advancements in electrical engineering. He was awarded a peerage in 1892, becoming Baron Kelvin.