Talk:Ben Caunt: Difference between revisions
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== Big Ben == |
== Big Ben == |
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Despite Alan Phillips' quote about there being "no documentary support" for the Bell being named after [[Benjamin Hall, 1st Baron Llanover|Sir Benjamin Hall]], several newspaper from October 1856, now available through the British Library's 'The British Newspaper Archive', clearly say the Bell '''is''' named after him: |
Despite Alan Phillips' quote about there being "no documentary support" for the Bell being named after [[Benjamin Hall, 1st Baron Llanover|Sir Benjamin Hall]], several newspaper from October 1856, now available through the British Library's 'The British Newspaper Archive', clearly say the Bell '''is''' named after him:<br /> |
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''Greenock Advertiser'', Friday 24 October 1856 |
''Greenock Advertiser'', Friday 24 October 1856<br /> |
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"The great bell interned for the Clock Tower of the new House of Parliament, is proposed to be called "Big Ben," in honour of Sir Benjamin Hall, the President of the Board of Works, during whose tenure of office it was cast." |
"The great bell interned for the Clock Tower of the new House of Parliament, is proposed to be called "Big Ben," in honour of Sir Benjamin Hall, the President of the Board of Works, during whose tenure of office it was cast." |
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''Windor and Eton Express'', Saturday 25 October 1856 |
''Windor and Eton Express'', Saturday 25 October 1856<br /> |
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"All bells, we believe, are christened before they begin to toll, and on the occasion it is proposed to call our king of bells "Big Ben," in honour of Sir Benjamin Hall, the President of the Board of Works, during whose tenure of office it was cast." |
"All bells, we believe, are christened before they begin to toll, and on the occasion it is proposed to call our king of bells "Big Ben," in honour of Sir Benjamin Hall, the President of the Board of Works, during whose tenure of office it was cast." |
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''Aris's Birmingham Gazette'', Monday 27 October 1856 |
''Aris's Birmingham Gazette'', Monday 27 October 1856<br /> |
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"The long-expected monster bell to be placed in the clock tower of the New Palace of Westminster has arrived at its destination uninjured. It is to be called "Big Ben of Westminster," in compliment to Sir Benjamin Hall, Chief Commissioner of Public Works." |
"The long-expected monster bell to be placed in the clock tower of the New Palace of Westminster has arrived at its destination uninjured. It is to be called "Big Ben of Westminster," in compliment to Sir Benjamin Hall, Chief Commissioner of Public Works."<br /> |
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The above newspaper evidence seems like pretty conclusive proof to me that the Bell was explicitly named after Sir Benjamin Hall, and not the boxer Ben Caunt. However, whether Sir Benjamin Hall himself was nicknamed 'Big Ben' is another matter. But if he was, then maybe the application of the name to him was intended to draw a comparison between him and the boxer? Hall as a political heavyweight given to long speeches, comparable to Caunt and some of his multiple round contests?? |
The above newspaper evidence seems like pretty conclusive proof to me that the Bell was explicitly named after Sir Benjamin Hall, and not the boxer Ben Caunt. However, whether Sir Benjamin Hall himself was nicknamed 'Big Ben' is another matter. But if he was, then maybe the application of the name to him was intended to draw a comparison between him and the boxer? Hall as a political heavyweight given to long speeches, comparable to Caunt and some of his multiple round contests?? |
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Revision as of 10:32, 30 September 2016
Big Ben
Despite Alan Phillips' quote about there being "no documentary support" for the Bell being named after Sir Benjamin Hall, several newspaper from October 1856, now available through the British Library's 'The British Newspaper Archive', clearly say the Bell is named after him:
Greenock Advertiser, Friday 24 October 1856
"The great bell interned for the Clock Tower of the new House of Parliament, is proposed to be called "Big Ben," in honour of Sir Benjamin Hall, the President of the Board of Works, during whose tenure of office it was cast."
Windor and Eton Express, Saturday 25 October 1856
"All bells, we believe, are christened before they begin to toll, and on the occasion it is proposed to call our king of bells "Big Ben," in honour of Sir Benjamin Hall, the President of the Board of Works, during whose tenure of office it was cast."
Aris's Birmingham Gazette, Monday 27 October 1856
"The long-expected monster bell to be placed in the clock tower of the New Palace of Westminster has arrived at its destination uninjured. It is to be called "Big Ben of Westminster," in compliment to Sir Benjamin Hall, Chief Commissioner of Public Works."
The above newspaper evidence seems like pretty conclusive proof to me that the Bell was explicitly named after Sir Benjamin Hall, and not the boxer Ben Caunt. However, whether Sir Benjamin Hall himself was nicknamed 'Big Ben' is another matter. But if he was, then maybe the application of the name to him was intended to draw a comparison between him and the boxer? Hall as a political heavyweight given to long speeches, comparable to Caunt and some of his multiple round contests??
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