Lord Kelvin's account of James Watt's career, emphasising Watt's relationship with Glasgow University.
Date: 1901. Title page; Pages 3-22.
In this speech, Lord Kelvin [link to kelvin biog page (/biographies/lord-kelvin/index.html)] outlines some of Watt's family history and his childhood in Greenock. He recounts family stories of James as a funny and inventive storyteller, as well as a keen student.
Watt went to live with relatives in Glasgow in 1754 and met many leading figures in university circles. He was advised to go to London if he wanted to be taken seriously as a mathematical instrument maker.
On his return to Scotland he was given a job at Glasgow University by Dr Dick, who asked him to help look after a collection of astronomical instruments from Jamaica. This led to Watt becoming mathematical instrument maker for the university.
Kelvin outlines how Watt came to work on the Newcomen model engine and gives details of his later work and life.
There are some interesting excerpts giving insight into Watt's state of mind. He was prone to periods of depression and became exhausted with his attempts to realise the potential of the steam engine.
Kelvin's speech was published in Glasgow by James Maclehose and Sons.