[1] He was educated at Merchiston Castle School between 1860 and 1864 before studying for a Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 1867.

[7] Following his father's death, Blyth entered the family engineering consultancy and became a partner five years later.

In 1872, he married Millicent Taylor[8] with whom he had a son, Benjamin Edward, who died in infancy,[9] and a daughter, Elsie Winifred.

[11] In later life, Blyth lived in a large Victorian townhouse at 17 Palmerston Place in Edinburgh's West End.

Their infant son, Benjamin Edward Blyth, who died in 1875 aged six weeks lies at their feet.