Charles Frewen Jenkin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Frewen Jenkin
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| Born | 14 September 1865 Claygate, Surrey, England
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| Died | 23 August 1940 (aged 74) St Albans, Hertfordshire, England
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| Resting place | St Albans Cathedral |
| Other names | C. F. Jenkin Charles Frewin Jenkin Frewen Jenkin Frewin Jenkin |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Spouse(s) | Mary (1889–1940; his death) |
| Children | 3 children |
| Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1919) Fellow of the Royal Society (1931) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Aerospace materials Corrosion fatigue |
| Influences | Fleeming Jenkin |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy (1915–18) Royal Air Force (1918–19) |
| Years of service | 1915–1919 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
Charles Frewen Jenkin (born September 24, 1865 – died August 23, 1940) was an important British engineer and professor. He was the very first Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. This means he held the top teaching position for engineering at that university. He was also honored as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), which are big achievements for a scientist.
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Early Life and Education
Charles Frewen Jenkin was born in Claygate, Surrey, England. His father, Fleeming Jenkin, was also a famous engineering professor at the University of Edinburgh. Charles followed in his father's footsteps.
He went to Edinburgh Academy, an all-boys school, and then studied at the University of Edinburgh. Later, he went to Trinity College, Cambridge. At that time, Cambridge University did not have an engineering degree. So, Charles studied mathematics instead. He earned his first degree in 1886.
Charles Jenkin's Engineering Career
After finishing university, Jenkin started working as an engineer. He joined several different companies.
- First, he worked for Mather & Platt, an engineering company in Manchester.
- Then, he moved to the London and North Western Railway in Crewe. Railways were a big part of engineering back then.
- In 1891, he worked at the Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills, helping with machines.
- From 1893 to 1898, he worked for Nettlefolds at their steelworks in Wales.
- Finally, he spent ten years (1898-1908) at Siemens Brothers. He became the head of their railway department and managed their factory in Stafford.
Becoming a Professor at Oxford
In 1908, Charles Jenkin was chosen for a brand new job: Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. This was a very important position. He also became a fellow at New College, Oxford, and later at Brasenose College, Oxford.
By 1914, the engineering department at Oxford finally had its own building. Before that, it was spread out in many temporary places.
Serving During World War I
During World War I (1915-1919), Jenkin took a break from teaching. He joined the military to help with the war effort.
- In May 1915, he became a lieutenant in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. He worked in the Air Department of the British Navy.
- In 1918, he moved to the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was put in charge of aircraft materials. He was given the rank of lieutenant colonel.
- His research during this time helped improve aircraft. He even published a report called Report on Materials of Construction used in Aircraft and Aircraft Engines.
Returning to Oxford
After the war, Jenkin returned to Oxford in 1919. He continued his research, especially focusing on something called corrosion fatigue. This is when materials get weaker and break because of stress and rust.
He resigned from his professor job in 1929 to spend all his time on research. Outside of the university, he also led committees that studied materials for aircraft and buildings.
Later Life and Family
After leaving Oxford, Jenkin moved to St Albans, Hertfordshire. He had some health problems but continued to live there. He passed away on August 23, 1940, and was buried at St Albans Abbey.
In 1889, Charles Jenkin married Mary Oswald Mackenzie. They had two sons and one daughter. Sadly, his younger son, Conrad, died during World War I while serving in the Royal Navy. His elder son, Charles Oswald Frewen Jenkin, also became an engineer. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren include important people like Patrick Jenkin, Baron Jenkin of Roding, who was a government minister, and Bernard Jenkin, who is a member of parliament.
Charles Jenkin was also very good at languages. He taught himself to speak medieval French, medieval Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Catalan, besides his native English.
Honors and Awards
Charles Jenkin received several important honors for his work:
- During World War I, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
- In 1919, he was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his excellent service during the war.
- He became a member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers in 1901 and the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1912.
- In 1931, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
- He also won the Telford Medal and the James Watt Medal from the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Today, a building at the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford is named the "Jenkin Building" in his honor.
