Benjamin Thompson
Biography
Born in Woburn, Massachusetts. Married Sarah Walker Rolfe November 1772. Married Marie Anne Pierrette October 24, 1805. Commissioned major with 2nd New Hampshire regiment in 1772. He was refused a commission in Washington's Army and went to England. He fought with the British on Long Island and in the Carolinas.
He lived for a while in Bavaria and worked 11 years in Bavarian civil service. He was responsible for organization of the Bavarian army. He settled in France in 1802.
In 1796 Rumford presented $5,000 to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for the most important discovery or improvement in heat or light. Rumford died at home at Auteuil near Paris, France.
Rumford appears on a 65 mm medal (Julian AM-1) commissioned by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dies were by Moritz Furst. The first award was made to Dr. Robert Hare of the University of Pennsylvania.
bio: DAB; Drake; EAB; NYHSD; TCBDA; WAB; WWWA-H
Source credit: Pete Smith, American Numismatic Biographies
Bio Snapshot
Date of Birth: 1753 - Mar - 26Place of Birth: Woburn, Massachusetts
Date of Death: 1814 - Aug - 21