1844-1906

Austrian Physicist

Ludwig Boltzmann was an important figure in the development of physics as the science made the transition from the classical physics of Isaac Newton (1642-1727) to the physics of the twentieth century. His work helped to usher in the fields of statistical mechanics (used to describe the behavior of fluids) and helped to better explain the Second Law of Thermodynamics. He became embroiled in controversy as European scientists debated the validity of his work, eventually winning recognition and acceptance shortly after his death.

Boltzmann was born in Vienna, Austria, the son of a taxation official. He received a doctorate from the University of Vienna in 1866 at the age of 22, completing his graduate work on a kinetic theory of gases under the supervision of Josef Stefan (1835-1893). Following his graduation, Boltzmann continued working for a short time under Stefan as an assistant...