The mechanism driving the clock at the Palace of Westminster, which powers the chimes of Big Ben, remains the most enduring technical achievement of Edmund Beckett, 1st Baron Grimthorpe. A jurist and horologist by training, he applied his expertise in mechanical design and ecclesiastical law to influence British building projects throughout the nineteenth century.
Legal and Academic Background
Born in 1816 at Carlton in Lindrick, Beckett studied at Eton College before reading mathematics at Trinity College, Cambridge. He graduated as a 30th Wrangler in 1838. His professional career began in 1841 at Lincoln's Inn, where he rose to prominence as a leader of the parliamentary bar. By 1854, he reached the rank of Queen's Counsel, a position he held until his retirement from law in 1881. His analytical approach extended to religious and scientific discourse, evidenced by works such as his 1871 publication Astronomy Without Mathematics.
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Beckett possessed a reputation as an expert mechanician, specifically regarding timekeeping instruments. In 1851, he designed the clock mechanism for the Houses of Parliament. His technical knowledge led to his election as president of the British Horological Institute in 1868. He famously stipulated that his presidency would only continue if he were excused from attending official dinners. His technical observations were compiled in his 1903 book, Clocks, Watches, and Bells.
Restoration at St Albans
During the 1880s and 1890s, Beckett funded and directed extensive repairs to St Albans Cathedral, including the west front, transept windows, and the roof. While these efforts prevented further decay, his interventions were met with significant public criticism. The backlash was so pronounced that the term 'to grimthorpe' emerged in common parlance to describe unsympathetic restoration work. He resided at Batchwood Hall during this period and extended his architectural activities to St Peter's and St Michael's churches in St Albans.
Fast facts
- Born: 1816, Carlton in Lindrick
- Died: 1905, St Albans
- Education: Trinity College, Cambridge; Eton College
- Legal career start: 1841, Lincoln's Inn
- Peerage: 1st Baron Grimthorpe, created 1886
- Burial site: St Albans Cathedral
Questions readers ask
Why was the term 'to grimthorpe' coined?
It arose as a critique of his restoration work at St Albans Cathedral, which critics viewed as changing the building's character in an unsympathetic manner.
Did he have architectural training?
His background was in mathematics, law, and horology rather than traditional architectural practice.
Achievements
- Trained at Eton College and Trinity College
