The Great Clock at The Palace of Westminster
is commonly known as Big Ben. The clock was designed by Edmund
Beckett Denison and made by E.J. Dent. The whole story is one
of mis-manangement and makes the story of the MIllenium Dome look
quite tame.
Clocks are my main interest, particularly those know as Turret Clocks. These appear in churches, town halls, and similar public buildings. Turret Clocks are characterised by having an external dial or dials, and / or generally sounding the hour on a bell. Some turret clocks do not have external dials and merely sound the hour on a bell.
If you are not too familiar with turret clocks and would like to know more, you may like to see The Turret Clock Keeper's Handbook. Click on the TCKH button to the left.
There are quite a few museums in the UK have turret clocks on display. List of museums with turret clocks
Knowing where to start reading is a bit of a problem with turret clocks. List of books relating to turret clocks
More to come in time about turret clocks. Please be patient.
Here are some topics on turret clocks that particularly interest me.
The Great Clock at The Palace of Westminster
is commonly known as Big Ben. The clock was designed by Edmund
Beckett Denison and made by E.J. Dent. The whole story is one
of mis-manangement and makes the story of the MIllenium Dome look
quite tame.
In 1976 there was a breakage due to fatigue that caused extensive damage to the clock. Fortunately it was rebuilt and not discarded in favour of something electronic.
For many years I have researched the history of this unique clock. If you want to know more then read on. History of Big Ben.
Born in 1793 and died in 1875, James (James
4) was the great grandson to James (James 1) Harrison, the brother
of the famous John Harrison of Longitude fame. James 4, was a
maker of turret clocks, he worked in Hull and I know of some 27
extant clocks that he made. With his father, also a James (James
3) , he developed a gravity escapement that was really the forerunner
of the Grimthorpe's Gravity escapement as used on the Great Clock
in the Palace of Westminster. The Society of Arts awarded James
3 prizes for his improved escapement and self-adjusting turret
clock flys. James 4 was probably the first turret clock maker
to use cast-iron wheels and dials.
I hope to publish my findings about this maker one day.
I have presented many lectures about this maker, there are no plans to do any in the near future.
Benjamin was born in 1780 and died
in 1854. A third-generation clock maker, he made a lot of turret
clocks as well as making domestic clocks, watches and fine architectural
fittings. His clocks were of very high quality and expensive.
Benjamin was in line to design and make the Great Clock at The
Palace of Westminster, but a rival, E.J. Dent managed to get the
job. Vulliamy was an early user of the flat bed design of clocks,
and was a writer of books on clocks.
I have presented many lectures about this maker, there are no plans to do any in the near future.
William WYNN
William Wynn (Sorry we do not know what he
looked like) was probably born near to Farnham in Surrey, around
1770 and is reputed to have died in London about 1835. Wynn was
a maker of turret clocks, he was awarded prizes from the Society
of Arts for a new clock escapement and improved clock hammers.
He became a great rival to James Harrison 3. Wynn installed several
turret clocks, including one at Boston Lincs. James Harrison 3
was after the job. When letters from Wynn appeared in the Mechanics
Magazine, James 3 replied antagonistically. This led to a long
series of letters running over several years.
Edmund BECKETT, First Baron GRIMTHORPE
Edmund Beckett Denison was born
in 1815 and died in 1905. During his life he changed his name
to Edmund Beckett when he inherited a baronetcy from his father,
when he became a peer, he took the title Lord Grimthorpe. His
family were bankers, MPs and railway developers. As a lawyer he
was involved in parliamentary bills for new railway companies.
As an amateur horologist he soon became well known. In 1850 he published his Treatise on Clocks Watches and Bells, a book that ran to 8 editions. Turret clocks were his speciality and he was involved with the Great Clock at the Palace of Westminster. With the making of the clock in a mess, he took over the task and designed the clock and organized its making. He designed a new gravity escapement that became the standard for all turret clocks. He also popularised the use of the flat bed construction.
Apart from the great clock he also designed the bell called 'Big Ben'
Edmund was a very strong character and not always popular. He became the President of the British Horological Institute in 1868 and, at an exhibition of clock and watch work in 1872, was quite scathing about the BHI's love of unnecessary high polish on clocks and watches.
The picture here is a Vanity Fair cartoon entitled 'Bells'
I have presented several lectures on Lord Grimthorpe.
Grimthorpe was the President of the British Horological Institute for 37 years. Click Here to see my article for the Horological Journal.