Hopkinson, John (1849-1898)

English electrical engineer. He was responsible for many important investigations in the field; the three-wire, three-phase transmission of electric power being his prime contribution. He published Dynamic Electricity and Original Papers on Dynamo Machinery and Allied Subjects (1893), among other papers.

Hopkinson was born in Manchester, England. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge University. He graduated as senior wrangler (top of the class in mathematics) and then took up electrical engineering. In 1890 he was awarded a royal medal for researches in electricity and magnetism. He was professor of electrical engineering at King's College, London University, at the time of his death; he was killed with his son and two daughters ascending the Dent de Veisivi in the Alps.