443 Results in the "Biography & Memoir" category


    • Chapter IV – Memoir of fleeming Jenkin Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter IV - Memoir of Fleeming Jenkin recounts a critical episode during one of Jenkin’s cable-laying missions, filled with uncertainty and engineering risk. Off the coast, his team attempts to retrieve a compromised section of undersea cable that has shown signs of deterioration. With cautious optimism, they lower dredging equipment, fully aware that any further strain could snap the already fragile line. The tension builds as the cable, strained and worn by sea conditions, is brought aboard inch by…
    • Chapter III-For Greater Things Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter III – For Greater Things begins with the storm left behind by Stanislaus Kostka’s sudden departure to follow his religious calling. His brother Paul and their tutor Bilinski, caught off guard and fearful of the consequences, stumble upon a letter left behind by Stanislaus. In it, he calmly explains that he must obey the voice of God rather than the expectations of man. This simple yet powerful message is passed on to Lord John Kostka, their father, along with letters from those involved in the…
    • Chapter III The Building of the Bell Rock Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter III opens by spotlighting the harsh reality of constructing a lighthouse in the perilous waters off the Scottish coast. The Bell Rock, invisible during high tide, presented constant danger to passing ships, and early methods to signal its presence proved unreliable. One such method—installing a warning bell by a local abbot—was ultimately lost to pirates, turning into legend rather than lasting aid. Mariners continued to face the risk of destruction on the submerged reef, and calls for a…
    • CHAPTER III Bruce Cover
      by LovelyMay The chapter showcases Bruce, a collie dog's remarkable journey and contribution to the war effort. The story begins with a picturesque evening at "The Place," where a visiting army captain, recently returned from France, praises Bruce's intelligence and abilities. The family, fond of Bruce, decide to enlist him as a war dog despite their reservations about sending him into such peril. Bruce, after thorough training in England, is deployed to France, where he quickly becomes a valued asset for his…
    • Chapter III – The memoir of Fleeming Jenkin Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter III - The memoir of Fleeming Jenkin reveals a man whose pursuit of excellence extended into every facet of life, from work to relationships. Jenkin was known for holding high standards and expecting the same from others, including his closest family. This intensity, though intimidating at first—particularly for his wife, who came from a more relaxed educational environment—soon became a source of strength. Those around him found that this demand for quality led to personal growth, mutual…
    • Chapter III – Records of a family of engineers Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter III examines the mindset and enduring contributions of Robert Stevenson, whose work transcended routine engineering to embrace a thoughtful relationship with the forces of nature. He did not simply build structures; he anticipated nature’s resistance and responded with innovations grounded in observation and precision. One such invention, the Balance Crane, exemplified his intent to engineer with both mechanical insight and environmental sensitivity. His efforts were not driven by theory alone…
    • Chapter III – OPERATIONS OF 1809 Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter III presents a rich and complex picture of human persistence against one of nature’s most relentless environments—the open sea. As the construction of the lighthouse pressed forward, daily routines were governed by tides, storms, and narrow weather windows. Equipment had to be landed, cranes assembled, and stones placed with surgical precision, all while the sea threatened to undo hours of progress. Every task carried weight beyond its function; lifting a single stone became a symbol of victory…
    • Chapter III – Memoir of fleeming Jenkin Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter III - Memoir of Fleeming Jenkin presents the critical phase between 1851 and 1858, when Jenkin’s development as an engineer, thinker, and partner took shape. After the passing of Aunt Anna, his family relocated from the sunlit familiarity of Genoa to the smoke-laden streets of Manchester. This transition exposed him to the gritty realism of industrial Britain, contrasting sharply with the colorful vibrancy he had known. Yet, rather than feel diminished, Jenkin thrived—immersing himself in an…
    • Chapter III – Memoir of fleeming Jenkin Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter III - Memoir of Fleeming Jenkin opens with a vivid journey through the rocky charm of the Greek isles, where the land may be sparse, but the spirit of the people is rich and enduring. Jenkin is struck by the region’s potential, particularly in the quiet strength of the sailors and the striking simplicity of village life. One night, an impromptu boating trip becomes an unplanned test of endurance when his ship, the ELBA, departs prematurely. Left behind, Jenkin and his group row tirelessly to…
    • CHAPTER II. SOME COLLEGE MEMORIES (2) Cover
      by LovelyMay In the second chapter of "Memories and Portraits," the narrator reflects on his time at the University of Edinburgh with a mix of nostalgia and critique, noting the changes and continuities between his generation and the current one. He mentions how time swiftly changes the landscape of college life, highlighting his own experience of feeling aged when seeing his name listed among many successors in a university club's record, symbolizing the rapid passing of generations within the academic…
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