Timeline of James C Maxwell By Govinn Jun 13, 1831 James C Maxwell born 1833 He moved to Glenlair 1841 He enrolled at the Edinburgh Academy 1847 Studied at the University of Edinburgh(1847-50) 1850 He entered Peterhouse College in Cambridge 1856 He made the theory of electromagnetic radiation 1860 He was awarded the Rumford Medal 1861 Elected Fellow Royal Society before his 30th birthday 1869 Awarded with the Keith Prize, Royal Society of Edinburgh 1876 Elected Honorary Member, New York Academy of Sciences Nov 5, 1879 James C Maxwell 's death