J.J. Thomson's education began the instant he first picked up a book to read. His father was a bookseller, which gave J.J. an unlimited supply of information within his grasp. He started college at a ver young age, 14 actually. He attended Owens College, which is now known as Victoria University of Manchester. Here he took a few classes in experimental physics. In 1876, Trinity College, Cambridge, offered him a scholarship to come study there. As one of the top universities in Europe, and the world, he immidiately accepted this offer. He earned his degree in Math after four years here, and then an elite opportunity arose for J.J. He got the offer to do research in the famous Cavendish Lab. This is where his true research began.