Benjamin Hall, 1st Baron Llanover
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Benjamin Hall, 1st Baron Llanover, PC, (November 8, 1802–April 27, 1867), was a civil engineer and politician.
The son of an industrialist, Benjamin Hall, he became MP for Monmouth in 1832 and held the seat for five years. He was instrumental in the passing of the Truck Act in 1831. He campaigned against the abuse of parliamentary election expenses and championed the right of people in Wales to have religious services in Welsh. He also engaged in bitter controversy with the bishops on the state of the Anglican church in Wales and made attacks on the shameless exploitation of church revenues, complaining of unbounded nepotism.[1] He was created a baronet in 1838. In 1855, as Sir Benjamin Hall, he introduced an Act of Parliament which led to the establishment of the Metropolitan Board of Works. He became its first Chief Commissioner of Works and was responsible for many environmental and sanitary improvements in London.[2] He oversaw the later stages of the rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament, including the installation of the 13.8-tonne hour bell, “Big Ben”, in the clock tower. He was a tall man and many attribute its name to him, but this is questionable.[3]
Through his wife, Augusta Waddington, Hall inherited the Llanover estate in Monmouthshire, and in 1859 was created Baron Llanover.
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Marquess of Worcester |
Member of Parliament for Monmouth 1831 |
Succeeded by Marquess of Worcester |
| Preceded by Marquess of Worcester |
Member of Parliament for Monmouth 1832–1837 |
Succeeded by Reginald Blewitt |
| Preceded by Sir Henry Bulwer Sir Samuel Whalley |
Member of Parliament for Marylebone with Sir Samuel Whalley 1837–1838, Hon. Charles Shore 1838–1841, Sir Charles Napier 1841–1847, Lord Dudley Coutts Stuart 1847–1854, Viscount Ebrington 1854–1859, Edwin James 1859 1837–1859 |
Succeeded by Edwin James The Lord Fermoy |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by — |
President of the Board of Health 1854–1855 |
Succeeded by William Francis Cowper |
| Preceded by Sir William Molesworth, Bt |
First Commissioner of Works 1855–1858 |
Succeeded by The Lord John Manners |
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
| New creation | Baronet (of Llanover) 1838 – 1866 |
Extinct |
| Baron Llanover 1859 – 1866 |
||
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Friends of Torfaen Museum Trust. St. Bartholomew's Church, Llanover. 1996 See: http://www.roger.j.moss.btinternet.co.uk/church-history/lh.lwp/lh.htm
- ^ Halliday S. The Great Stink of London. Thrupp, Gloucestershire: Sutton; 1999, p 59.
- ^ Whitechapel Bell Foundry The Story of Big Ben See: http://www.whitechapelbellfoundry.co.uk/bigben.htm
http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/articleHL/11945?docPos=12&anchor=match
