While born into a wealthy, titled family, Rayleigh did not indulge in the hedonistic lifestyle of England's landed gentry. In fact, many of his friends and relatives disapproved of his scientific pursuits. Strutt, better known as Lord Rayleigh, took his degree from Cambridge University in mathematics, but his scientific career, which he pursued almost until his dying day, extended into the fields of physics and chemistry. Today he is remembered mainly for discovering argon with Sir William Ramsay and for explaining wave motion, such as sound and light wave behavior.

Most young men of Rayleigh's position toured Europe after graduating from university. Instead, Rayleigh went to America, which was then just recovering from the Civil War. When he returned to England, he set up a laboratory on the family estate, where he would eventually conduct most of his experimental studies. Early on, Rayleigh learned to get along with...