ABSTRACT
Fleeming Jenkin's remarkable ability was not confined to engineering. Before the move to Edinburgh, he began to extend his interests beyond scientific and educational issues, into subjects which were far from the obvious domain of a professor of engineering. Furthermore Jenkin's efforts were seriously received, his contributions to fields beyond engineering influential. There was a gradual change in character as Jenkin entered middle age. Stevenson, who first met the professor in 1868, suggests that after his return to Edinburgh Jenkin's mood lightened. The youthful 'inhuman narrowness' was lost, Jenkin ceased to be 'something of the Puritan', growing ripe and mellow and better understanding 'the mingled characters of men'. Of course a man may be a prophet and a poet, Jenkin continued – even an artist and an engineer. He took strong exception to Sellar's unfavourably comparing him with Tait. The background to Jenkin's wide range of activities lies in his upbringing and education.
