A Brief History

http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/webdocs/Gallery/Gallery7.html

 

James Prescott Joule was born December 24, in 1818.

James Joule was born into the wealthy brewing family of Benjamin and Alice Joule.

In 1847 James Joule married Amelia Grimes, a daughter of the Liverpool Comptroller of Customs.
James Joule and Amelia had three children: Benjamin Arthur (born 1849), Alice Amelia (born 1852) and a son who died in 1854 along with his wife during child birth.

In 1843 James Joule read his paper to the British Association, entitled "On the Calorific Effects of Magneto-Electricity and on the Mechanical Value of Heat." This paper described the physical constant that showed that heat was a form of energy. This constant is known as "J", or "Joule's Equivalent." The unit of heat, work and internal energy are measured in joules (J).

James Prescott Joule died October 11 in 1889. James Joule is buried in Westminster Abbey along with other famous people.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Abbey