A famous connection

The photographs sent in by Kenneth Baxter are always popular and so here is another (see right). “The attached photograph shows the exterior of the Fleming Gymnasium at University College, Dundee, and was probably taken around the time of its construction,” says Kenneth.

“The building has a connection to a famous literary figure. The gym was the gift of the Dundee-born financier Robert Fleming. At the age of 13, he began working as an office boy for a merchant in the Cowgate, before moving to work in the offices of Cox Brothers.

“He then went to work as a bookkeeper for Edward Baxter, an expert on American securities. Drawing on this experience, he was a key figure in setting up the First Scottish American Trust Company, a phenomenally successful venture of which he served as secretary. In 1873, Fleming founded his own asset management firm, Robert Fleming & Co, which evolved into a very successful merchant bank.

“Fleming was known for being a philanthropist and, in September 1904, he gifted £1,000 to University College, Dundee, towards the equipment of a gymnasium for the use of students, along with a further £400 to facilitate the building of two covered fives courts.

“He later added additional funding to ensure that the project came to fruition. The College Council decided to name the gym the Fleming Gymnasium in recognition of his generosity. It was opened by Andrew Carnegie in 1905. Fleming’s grandson was Ian Fleming, today best remembered as the creator of James Bond.”

The exterior of the Fleming Gymnasium at University College, Dundee. See the column on the right for more information. Picture: University of Dundee Archive Services.

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