HALL, BENJAMIN (1778 - 1817), industrialist

Born 29 September 1778, elder son of Dr. Benjamin Hall, chancellor of Llandaff. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford (B.A. 1798, M.A. 1801), and called to the Bar from Lincoln's Inn, 1801. He married Charlotte, younger daughter of Richard Crawshay of Cyfarthfa, 16 December 1801. His father-in-law made him a partner when he purchased the Rhymney iron works (1803), presented him with the Abercarn estate (1808), and made him residuary legatee and executor under his will. Hall owned Hensol castle in Glamorgan. He was M.P. for Totnes 1806-12, and Westbury 1812-14. He was elected member for Glamorgan on 28 November 1814, and remained member until his early death on 31 July 1817. His importance in the history of Wales lies in the fact that he was the first great industrialist to enter the political field in Wales in opposition to the landed interests.

Author

• Emeritus Professor David Williams, (1900 - 1978)

Sources

• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
• John Lloyd, The early history of the old South Wales Iron Works (1760 to 1840) from original documents (1906)
• W. R. Williams, The parliamentary history of the principality of Wales, from the earliest times to the present day, 1541-1895 (Brecknock 1895)
• The Cardiff Times, 25 January 1896

Further Reading

• Genealogical memoranda relating to the families of Herbert & Hall (1896)
• Wikipedia Article: Benjamin Hall

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q4888758

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-RUU/1.0/