Introduction

In a life of only fifty-two years, Fleeming Jenkin established his reputation as a pioneer in the new world of electrical engineering, in particular for his work on undersea telegraphs. Equally at ease in realms of theory and practice, from 1850 until his death in 1885 Jenkin engaged in every field of Victorian engineering. The story of Jenkin's life provides a window into the world of Victorian engineering, and especially into the foundation of the new, scientifically-based branch of electrical engineering. Although slightly junior to the very young engineers responsible for the first attempts to lay an Atlantic cable, Jenkin qualifies as a first generation electrical engineer, his main work falling in the middle years of Victoria's reign. The technology of terrestrial telegraphy was then well understood — and did not attract Jenkin's interest — but submarine telegraphy, with the failure of the 1857 attempt to cross the Atlantic, had suffered the first of several major setbacks.