Poetry in Faraday, Maxwell, and the Electromagnetic Field

Forbes and Mahon’s biography of Faraday and Maxwell follows the scientists’ development of the electromagnetic field, from experiment to theory. James Clerk Maxwell, in particular, charmed me with his [occasionally obfuscating] love of poetry and metaphor and love.

Valentine by a Telegraph Clerk

The tendrils of my soul are twined With thine, though many a mile apart. And thine in close coiled circuits wind Around the needle of my heart.

Constant as Daniel, strong as Grove. Ebullient throughout its depths like Smee, My heart puts forth its tide of love, And all its circuits close in thee.

O tell me, when along the line From my full heart the message flows, What currents are induced in thine? One click from thee will end my woes.

Through many a volt the weber flew, And clicked this answer back to me; I am thy farad staunch and true, Charged to a volt with love for thee.

― James Clerk Maxwell