Clausius was responsible for significant advances in the field of thermodynamics, and he is generally regarded as the author of the second law of thermodynamics, better known as entropy.

He was born in Köslin, Prussia (now Koszalin, Poland). His father was a schoolmaster who taught Clausius during his early school years. In 1840 he enrolled at the University of Berlin, where he studied history and science. After graduation Clausius pursued his postgraduate degree at the University of Halle, receiving his Ph.D. in 1847. Clausius went on to serve as professor at the Zurich Polytechnic as well as the Universities of Würtzburg and Bonn.

Clausius's strength was in theoretical physics--the examination, explanation and application of theories previously introduced by other scientists. Although he rarely conducted experiments of his own, preferring to dissect and interpret the work of others, he gave new understanding to previously neglected ideas...