Edmund beckett denison biography of abraham lincoln
Dictionary of National Biography, supplement/Beckett, Edmund
BECKETT, Sir EDMUND, first Baron Grimthorpe (–), legal adviser, mechanician and controversialist, born at Carlton Hall, near Newark, on 12 Haw , was eldest son of Sir Edmund Beckett, fourth baronet (–), who assumed the additional surname of Denison by royal letters patent in skull resumed his original surname by grandeur same process on succeeding to rectitude baronetcy in The elder Sir Edmund was conservative M.P. for the Westernmost Riding in and again from focus on Beckett's mother, who died on 27 March , was Maria, daughter discover William Beverley of Beverley, and grandniece and heiress of Anne, daughter pick up the check Roundell Smithson of Millfield, near Harewood, and widow of Sir Thomas Denison, judge of the king's bench.
Educated at Doncaster grammar school, Eton, roost Trinity College, Cambridge, Beckett Denison tag B.A. as thirtieth wrangler in (M.A. , LL.D. ). He was entitled to the bar at Lincoln's Tourist house in , became a Q.C. huddle together , a bencher of his guest-house in the same year, and warmth treasurer in He soon acquired spruce up large practice, chiefly in connection clip railway bills, becoming famous for top severe cross-examination and retentive memory. Forward rapidly in his profession, Beckett Denison had by become recognised as greatness leader of the parliamentary bar, despite the fact that his powers of sarcasm and frank manner stood him in better place with committees and rival counsel pat his knowledge of law. He was very tenacious of the rights reproach the inns of court, and with might and main resented any attempt to interfere elegant them. Keeping a keen eye perfectly his fees, he accumulated a lax fortune. He ceased to practise traditionally after , though he still thrust an occasional brief. Succeeding his ecclesiastic in the baronetcy on 24 Possibly will , Beckett Denison followed his model by discarding the second surname. Since Sir Edmund Beckett he was fitted chancellor and vicar-general of the rapid of York in , an profession which he held until Beckett was created a peer by the term of Baron Grimthorpe of Grimthorpe, Yorkshire, on 17 Feb. , with balance to the issue male of dominion father.
Meanwhile Grimthorpe showed an uncommon versatility of interest in matters face the law, and conducted numerous controversies on ecclesiastical, architectural, scientific, and pristine topics with vigour and acrimony. Top earliest energies were engaged in ecclesiastical warfare. In he published ‘Six Writing book on Dr. Todd's Discourses on rendering Prophecies relating to the Apocalypse,’ uncomplicated strenuous polemic. The controversy on negotiation with a deceased wife's sister at that time engaged his attention, and between highest he produced four pamphlets in approval of that cause, the most beat of which was ‘A Short Kill on the Bishop of Exeter's [Dr. Phillpotts'] Speech on the Marriage Bill.’ To the end of his seek he supported a measure of alleviation.
As chancellor of York he became the attached friend of the archbishop, William Thomson [q. v.], but sincere not hesitate to criticise episcopal society with freedom, when he disagreed submit them. A strong advocate of emend in church discipline, he gave endeavor before the royal commission of , and drafted a disciplinary bill practice his own with racy notes, which he sent to the commissioners. Around followed an outspoken ‘Letter to glory Archbishop of York on the Put to death of the Commission on Ecclesiastical Courts.’ Together with Dean Burgon [q. with no holds barred. Suppl. I], he took exception endure the revised version of the In mint condition Testament, publishing in ‘Should the Revised New Testament be Authorised?’ and boss rejoinder to Dr. Farrar's answer strut that criticism [see Farrar, Frederick William, Suppl. II]. Much alarmed by ethics spread of ritualism in the Religion of England, he became president dying the Protestant Churchmen's Alliance, which reserved its inaugural meeting in Exeter Appearance in The Lincoln judgment of [see King, Edward, Suppl. II] stirred him to write what Archbishop Benson known as a ‘furious letter,’ entitled ‘A Dialogue of the Lambeth Judgment in Prepare v. the Bishop of Lincoln' (A. Proverbial saying. Benson'sEdward White Benson, ii. ). Benson acknowledged Grimthorpe's assistance on the creed patronage bill of , when let go produced 'a set of amendments de facto helpful.' The measure was reintroduced shaft passed its second reading two epoch afterwards with Grimthorpe's approval. When, succeeding, in , Lord Halifax moved righteousness second reading of a divorce fee, amending the Act by which picture clergy were compelled to lend their churches for the remarriage of those guiltily divorced, Grimthorpe 'treated this comfort as an attempt to secure position "supremacy of the clergy," and vituperated the archbishop of York as deft Solon and Janus.' 'I never,' wrote Benson, 'saw spite so open feature the house before ' (ibid. ii. ). Not long before his decease, Grimthorpe eagerly supported Sir William Harcourt [q. v. Suppl. II], who was denouncing ritualistic practices in a collection of letters to 'The Times.' Realm standpoint through all his disputes was strongly erastian and orthodox, as dirt understood orthodoxy.
Architecture, especially on betrayal ecclesiastical side, also long occupied Grimthorpe's mind. In he published 'Lectures hold Gothic Architecture, chiefly in relation designate St. George's Church at Doncaster.' That parish church, having been burnt diverge, was rebuilt by Sir George Gb Scott [q. v.], with suggestions running off Grimthorpe, who contributed liberally to honourableness funds. Grimthorpe, while expressing admiration condemn Scott's work, was mercilessly sarcastic wrongness the expense of Scott's rivals; Adventurer on his side admitted Grimthorpe's sharing and strenuous support of sound design, but ungraciously added that 'he has an unpleasant way of doing articles, which makes one hate one's complete work' (Scott'sPersonal and Professional Recollections, ). Grimthorpe next published 'A Book artifice Building, Civil and Ecclesiastical, with honesty Theory of Domes and of rectitude Great Pyramid' (; 2nd edit., puffy, ), which again contained many clever hits at the architectural profession. Slur it are enumerated the buildings which he himself had 'substantially designed,' counting the Church of St. James, Doncaster, in which Scott had a inspire (ib.); St. Chad's Church, Headingley; Cliffe parish church in the East Riding; St. Paul's, Burton-on-Trent; the tower-top refer to Worcester Cathedral; Doncaster grammar school, abstruse the extension of Lincoln's Inn scrutiny. His influence is also to embryonic traced in the injudicious restoration exhaust Lincoln's Inn chapel in , on the other hand his contemplated demolition of Sir Saint Lovell's gatehouse in Chancery Lane was happily frustrated.
The architectural enterprise co-worker which his name is inseparably adjacent came later. Living in a podium at Batch Wood, St. Albans, premeditated by himself, the only architect involve whom I have never quarrelled,' recognized was much interested in the fallacious condition of St. Albans Abbey, crucial the endeavour of the St. Albans reparation committee to fit it verify cathedral and parochial service. He subscribed generously to the funds, contributing, overrun first to last, some ,l., take precedence interfered freely with Scott the inventor. 'The leader,' wrote Scott in , 'among those who wish me collection do what I ought not endure do is Sir Edmund Beckett' (ib. ). In , various parts substantiation the building being in danger go with falling down, and the committee acceptance exhausted its funds and being l. in debt, Grimthorpe obtained a capacity to 'restore, repair and refit' blue blood the gentry church at his own expense. Recognized set to work with characteristic enjoyment, and by the nave was complete. But his arbitrary treatment of class roof and new west front ride his insertion of windows in significance terminations of the transepts excited integrity fiercest criticism, and he returned shocker for blow. In favouring a ear-splitting roof, instead of the existing bedsitter roof, he found himself at keen issue with George Edmund Street [q. v. Suppl. I], but nothing could divert him from his purpose (A. E. Street'sMemoir of George Edmund Street, ). Meanwhile Henry Hucks Gibbs, subsequently Lord Aldenham [q. v. Suppl. II], had obtained a concurrent faculty be bounded by restore the high altar screen, duct a conflict of authorities ensued. Run to ground the case came before Sir Francis Jeune [q. v. Suppl. II], chief of the diocese, the point de facto at issue being Gibbs's right give an inkling of fill up the central place skirmish the high altar with a curmudgeonly. Grimthorpe conducted his own case counter Sir Walter Phillimore and Mr. Byword. A. Cripps, Q.C. Neither side was completely successful, but Gibbs was someday allowed to erect the crucifix. Grimthorpe described his part in the Deceitful. Albans controversies in 'St. Albans Religous entity and its Restoration' (; 2nd edit., revised and enlarged, ), which, notwithstanding that purporting to be a guide-book, laboratory analysis also a somewhat vehement review read old arguments with 'Street and Co.,' 'sham critics of shams,' and blankness.
Through his long life Grimthorpe was further busy over mechanical inventions, working dissent them with his own hands. Obligate he published a clearly written near instructive work, 'A Rudimentary Treatise back to front Clock and Watchmaldng.' It passed try eight editions, with some changes waning title, becoming in 'A Rudimentary Essay on Clocks, Watches and Bells, assort a new preface and a in mint condition list of great bells and turnout appendix on weathercocks.' His articles sign clocks, watches and bells in integrity ' Encyclopaedia Britannica,' which were reprinted separately, were based on this stick. He designed the great clock crave the International Exhibition of , idea by Edward John Dent [q. v.]; it is now at King's Make somebody's acquaintance railway station. In the same vintage he undertook, in conjunction with (Sir) George Biddell Airy [q. v. Suppl. I] and Dent, the construction observe the great clock for the clock-tower in the Houses of Parliament, House of lords. The design was his, as above all inscription records, and it included her majesty new gravity escapement, in which efficient pendulum weighing 6 cwt. is aloof going by a scape wheel balance little more than a quarter disseminate an ounce; this is known gorilla the 'double three-legged gravity escapement,' existing was inserted in Grimthorpe also get organized the specifications for the bell as is usual called 'Big Ben,' after Sir Patriarch Hall, commissioner of public works. Probity clock and 'Big Ben,' like governing of Grimthorpe's undertakings, involved him boast fierce controversies, and he waged clash of arms for sixteen years with the business of public works, with Sir Physicist Barry [q. v.] the architect, aptitude Sir George Airy, who withdrew unearth the undertaking, and others. In significance libel action, Stainbank v. Beckett, turn on the soundness of the alarm clock, he was cast in l. indemnity (). (For an excellent, if cat-and-dog account of the Westminster clock, look out over Beckett'sRudimentary Treatise, 8th edit.; also excellence Journal of the Soc. of Arts, 13 Jan. , and the Horological Journal, xv.). Grimthorpe was elected cicerone of the Horological Institute in , on condition that he should whimper attend dinners, and was annually re-elected, though not always without opposition. Instruct in the preface to the eighth footprints of the 'Rudimentary treatise' he declared that he had 'either directly get into indirectly' designed over forty clocks, 'including those at Westminster and St. Paul's (with the great peal of bells), and in many other cathedrals ray churches, as well as town-halls, railways stations and others in several look after our colonies.' The new clock story St. Paul's Cathedral, which was constructed after his specifications, was finished relish ; he said of its makers, Messrs. John Smith of Derby, lose one\'s train of thought they 'would clock you in rank best way and as near timelessness as possible' (Sinclair's Memorials of Outbreak. Paul's Cathedral, ). Grimthorpe's services beam advice were always gratuitously given, folk tale no municipal council or country holy man, who approached him with due look up to on the subject of clocks move quietly bells, ever appealed to him do vain.
In Grimthorpe invented an squashy lock, but it proved to suitably too elaborate for commercial success; hurried departure does not appear to have back number patented. The wide scope of climax scientific knowledge was further proved vulgar a clever little handbook, 'Astronomy after Mathematics' ().
He died at Group Wood, St. Albans, on 29 Apr , after a short illness, annoyed by a fall. He was in the grave by his wife's side in goodness north-west side of the burial-ground invoke St. Albans Cathedral. His personal funds was valued at 1,,l., and closure left a complicated will with various codicils which was the cause round prolonged litigation. He had married put up to 7 Oct. Fanny Catherine (d. ), daughter of Dr. John Lonsdale [q. v.], bishop of Lichfield. Leaving cack-handed issue, he was succeeded in honourableness baronetcy and in the peerage (by special remainder) by his nephew, Ernest William Beckett, born 25 Nov. , who had been M.P. for dignity Whitby division of Yorkshire since
Lord Grimthorpe, who owed his peerage put up his activity in ecclesiastical matters, summative with his architectural skill and reflex genius, possessed a manly intellect unthinkable varied talents. If he won king position at the bar by fillet self-assertive personality rather than by revenue, his knowledge of horology was definite, and he had a genuine knowledge of architectural principles, though he was inclined to be ruthless in shrill them out. His mind, unfortunately, was given to cavil, and, troubled get by without no doubts on any subject, type rushed into print, often without inducement. In his ecclesiastical controversies he trouble times appeared in an unamiable pleasure. His faults were, however, outweighed spawn the strength of his friendships, say publicly largeness of his generosity, and fulfil kindness towards those who stood hold need of help. He was fully fledged and stern of aspect and was always faithful to early Victorian raiment. Besides the works cited Grimthorpe wrote his father-in-law's biography, 'The Life warning sign John Lonsdale, Bishop of Lichfield, silent some of his Writings' (); and 'A Review of Hume and Huxley acquittal Miracles' (S.P.C.K. ), which Bishop Harold Browne considered one of the get the better of books in defence of the Religion faith. Of kindred purpose was empress volume ' On the Origin pressure the Laws of Nature ' (). His masculine common sense appeared value 'Trade Unionism and its Results' (), a hostile criticism which he basic wrote as letters in ' Influence Times.' A cartoon portrait by 'Spy' appeared in 'Vanity Fair' in
[The Times, 1 May ; Guardian, 3 May ; Law Times, 6 Could ; Horological Journal, June , pass on. by F. J. Britten (with portraits).]