As a child, Thomson dreamed of becoming an engineer, and later became interested in physics. /kloc-at the age of 0/4, he entered Manchester Owen College to study physics. But because of his father's death, he lost his financial backing and had to rely on a meager scholarship to maintain his studies. Under such difficult conditions, with strong will, he was admitted to Cambridge University at the age of 20, majoring in mathematics. After graduation, he entered the Cavendish laboratory and conducted experimental research on electromagnetic field theory under the guidance of Rayleigh. 1884, at the age of 27, Thomson was appointed as the director of Cavendish laboratory.