Sadi Carnot (1796 - 1832) France
He studied the thermodynamics of steam engines and came up with the idea of an "ideal engine" and the "Carnot Cycle". Eldest son of French Revolutionary figure Lazare Carnot, who was Napoleon's Minister of War. His father educated him and his brother Hippolyte. Entered Ecole Polytechnique in Paris at age 16. In 1824 published "Reflections on the Motive Power of Fire". Work was largely ignored until 1834 when Clapeyron quoted this work. Clausius and Thomson later used Carnot's ideas in thermodynamics.