Benjamin Whitworth

Benjamin Whitworth (1815–1893) was an Irish politician, who represented constituencies in Ireland at the United Kingdom Parliament in Westminster, London.

Early life

Benjamin Whitworth was born in Manchester in 1815. He came to Drogheda as a child; his father was a corn merchant.

Benjamin was educated in England, and he later went into business himself in Manchester. However he returned to Drogheda, and founded the Greenmount and Boyne Mills in 1865. This factory once employed 1,200 people and exported linen throughout the world.

Parliamentary career

He was returned for Drogheda, as a Liberal, in the 1868 general election. However his election was declared void and he was replaced by Thomas Whitworth, in an unopposed by-election on 15 March 1869.

Benjamin Whitworth was elected as an Irish Nationalist Member of Parliament for Kilkenny City in 1875. He resigned in 1880 by choosing to become Steward of the Manor of Northstead.

Service to Drogheda

He was a major benefactor to the town of Drogheda, overseeing the construction of the public water supply system in the town. In 1865 he built the Whitworth Hall, located on St. Laurence's Street, which he later donated to the people of the town. He helped to build the Christian Brothers monastery, formerly at Sundays Gate. He was awarded the freedom of the Borough in 1877.

Whitworth died in London in 1893.

References

• Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-1922, edited by B.M. Walker (Royal Irish Academy 1978)
• Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by James McCann	Member of Parliament for Drogheda 1868–1869	Succeeded by Thomas Whitworth
Preceded by John Gray	Member of Parliament for Kilkenny City 1875–1880	Succeeded by John Francis Smithwick