thompson
thompson — biographical name
1. Benjamin Thompson (1753–1814), known as Count Rumford, an American-born British
Benjamin Thompson (1753–1814), known as Count Rumford, an American-born British physicist and inventor who studied the nature of heat, improved the design of fireplaces and chimneys, and helped found the Royal Institution in London.
Benjamin Thompson is remembered for his experiments showing that heat is a form of motion, not a substance.
Biographical context — describing a scientist's key contribution
The Rumford fireplace, named after Benjamin Thompson, was designed to heat rooms more efficiently than earlier models.
Beatrix read about Benjamin Thompson in her physics class and wrote a report on his work with heat.
Many historians consider Benjamin Thompson one of the most inventive minds of the late 1700s.
用法筆記
Thompson is often referred to by his title Count Rumford, which he received from the Elector of Bavaria for his public service and scientific work.
2. Dorothy Thompson (1894–1961), an American journalist and political commentator w
Dorothy Thompson (1894–1961), an American journalist and political commentator who became one of the most influential women in American media during the 1930s and 1940s, writing a widely read newspaper column and speaking out against the rise of fascism in Europe.
Dorothy Thompson was one of the first American journalists to warn the public about Adolf Hitler's rise to power.
Biographical context — journalist's key political stance
Tara found an old collection of Dorothy Thompson's columns at the library and read them for her history project.
Name used in a research context
The magazine named Dorothy Thompson the second most influential woman in America, after Eleanor Roosevelt.
Dorothy Thompson's broadcasts reached millions of listeners across the United States every week.
用法筆記
Thompson was among the first female news correspondents to achieve national prominence in the United States. Her column "On the Record" was syndicated in over 170 newspapers.
3. Francis Thompson (1859–1907), an English poet best known for his poem "The Hound
Francis Thompson (1859–1907), an English poet best known for his poem "The Hound of Heaven," which describes God's relentless pursuit of the human soul through vivid and dramatic language.
Francis Thompson wrote "The Hound of Heaven" after a period of homelessness and personal struggle in London.
Biographical context — poet's life and famous work
Students in the English literature seminar discussed Francis Thompson's use of religious imagery in his poetry.
Name used in an academic context
Karim discovered Francis Thompson's poems while researching Victorian religious poetry for his university course.
A collection of Francis Thompson's poems was published after his death and gained a wide readership.
用法筆記
Thompson's work is closely associated with the Catholic Literary Revival and the Decadent movement of the late 19th century. His poetry is noted for its rich, ornate style and spiritual themes.
4. A Canadian statesman and lawyer who served as the country's fourth Prime Ministe
A Canadian statesman and lawyer who served as the country's fourth Prime Minister, from 1892 until his death in 1894. John Sparrow David Thompson, knighted in 1888, oversaw reforms to criminal law and helped shape the Supreme Court's final-appeal role.
Sir John Thompson became Prime Minister of Canada in 1892 after Sir John Abbott resigned.
Biographical context — assuming office
The Supreme Court building in Ottawa displays a portrait of Sir John Thompson to honor his legal contributions.
Mateo learned about Sir John Thompson's role in shaping Canada's criminal code during his history class.
Sir John Thompson, the first Canadian PM from Nova Scotia, began his career as a lawyer there.
用法筆記
Thompson served as Minister of Justice before becoming Prime Minister and was instrumental in drafting Canada's first unified criminal code. He died in office at age 49 from a heart attack.
thompson — geographical name
1. a river of southern British Columbia that stretches roughly 489 kilometers (304
a river of southern British Columbia that stretches roughly 489 kilometers (304 miles) south through a dry valley region and joins the Fraser River near the city of Lytton.
The Thompson River is a popular spot for rafting because of its fast currents and scenic canyon walls.
Geographical context — recreational use of the river
Minho and his family camped along the Thompson River last summer and fished for salmon in its waters.
The two branches of the Thompson River meet at Kamloops before continuing south through the valley.
Farmers along the Thompson River rely on its water to irrigate crops during the dry summer months.
用法筆記
The Thompson River has two main branches, the North Thompson and the South Thompson, which join at Kamloops. The river was named after David Thompson, a British-Canadian explorer and mapmaker.