V -Memoir of fleeming Jenkin

The chapter from “Memoir of Fleeming Jenkin” spans the years 1869 to 1885, highlighting Fleeming’s life in Edinburgh, his family, hobbies, involvement in the arts, and his character traits. Settling in Edinburgh, described as a “metropolitan small town,” Fleeming entered a society infused with a blend of academic and leisurely pursuits. Particularly noted for its educational advantages, Edinburgh attracted a well-cultured crowd, though not devoid of a certain hardiness and propensity for dispute. Fleeming, despite his contributions to the intellectual community, somewhat held himself apart from the city’s most popular recreational activities, such as golf and archery, the latter being a prestigious leisure pursuit among the elite.

Fleeming’s family life and personal interests are depicted with warmth; his engagements in drama, notably in private theatricals, reveal a man of diverse interests beyond his professional realm. His commitment to sanitary associations and technological curiosities like the phonograph underscores his active participation in societal betterment and scientific exploration.

The narrative reflects on Fleeming’s character, showcasing his complexity, from his mature intellectual capacity that bloomed late, to his moral and religious considerations, his admiration for heroism, and his refined taste in literature. These facets of his personality coalesced to form a man who was admired and deeply loved by those close to him, despite not necessarily being widely popular. His conversational skills, coupled with his growing popularity and the affectionate correspondences shared with individuals such as M. Trelat, paint the picture of a man whose life’s fabric was rich with intellectual pursuits, family commitments, and a circle of meaningful, albeit select, friendships.

This part of Fleeming’s life underscores the balance between his public achievements and his private passions, capturing the essence of a life lived with depth, across the spheres of professional success, family devotion, and personal endeavors. Fleeming’s legacy, as hinted through anecdotes and reflections, seems to extend beyond his contributions to engineering and academia, touching upon the realms of personal integrity, social responsibility, and the pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of society.