John Benson was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

clockmaker A clockmaker is an artisan who makes and/or repairs clocks. Since almost all clocks are now factory-made, most modern clockmakers only repair clocks. Modern clockmakers may be employed by jewellers, antique shops, and places devoted strictly t ...

who lived and worked in

Whitehaven Whitehaven is a town and port on the English north west coast and near to the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England. Historically in Cumberland, it lies by road south-west of Carlisle and to the north of Barrow-in-Furness. It is th ...

, mainly on brass dial eight-day clocks with rolling moons for the upper market. Many have centre calendar work, simple tidal indicators, music, quarter-chiming and/or astronomical functions. He noted about twenty, including one with quarter chimes and music, most in red walnut or mahogany cases. He married in 1750 and died in 1798. Possibly his most famous work is in the main hall of 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister. It’s reported that the chimes annoyed Winston Churchill enough that he had the musical part turned off.

References

English clockmakers 1790 deaths Year of birth unknown {{UK-business-bio-stub