Background
Benjamin Whitworth was born in Manchester in 1815. He came to Drogheda as a child. His father was a corn merchant.
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Benjamin Whitworth
Edit ProfileEducation
Benjamin was educated in England, and he later went into business himself in Manchester.
Career
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. He was returned for Drogheda, as a Liberal, in the 1865 general election.
He resigned in 1880 to contest the Drogheda constituency in a by-election as a Home Rule candidate.
Elected unopposed in the 1880 general election, he sat as Member of Parliament until the constituency was abolished in 1885. 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 Saint 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.
Membership
20th United Kingdom Parliament. 21st United Kingdom Parliament]
Benjamin Whitworth was elected Member of Parliament for Kilkenny City, in a by-election in 1875.
