British Peer. Born at Carlton Hall, Nottinghamshire, the son of Sir Edmund Beckett, 4th Baronet Beckett. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and was called to the bar in 1841, eventually becoming a very successful litigator. He was also a noted amateur horologist and published ‘Rudimentary Treatise on Clocks, Watches, and Bells’ in 1850. He served as the president of the Horology Society from 1868 to 1905. He succeeded to the title of 5th Baronet in May 1874; legally changing his name to Edmund Beckett-Denison at the same time. He was created 1st Baron Grimthorpe, in February 1886. An amateur architect, he took responsibility for rebuilding the west front, roof, and transept windows of St Albans Cathedral at his own expense although some accused him of changing the cathedral’s character. Upon his death, he bequeathed a turret clock to Trinity College, Cambridge. (bio by: Iola) Cause of death: Illness following fall