Sir John Williams Benn, 1st Baronet, Doctor of Laws was a British politician, particularly associated with London politics, and noted as the grandfather of Tony Benn.
Background
Benn was born in Manchester, to a middle-class family, the eldest son of Revd Julius Benn (c1826-1883) and grand son of William Benn, but his parents moved the family to east London the following year, where they opened an institute for homeless boys.
Career
Benn was largely taught at home and at the age of 17 joined a furniture company. When the London County Council was established in January 1889, Benn accepted an invitation to stand as a Progressive Party candidate for East Finsbury and was elected. Like his contemporary Will Crooks, Benn was active in the London Dock Strike of 1889, and, as an increasingly prominent local politician, was invited to stand for Parliament in 1891 as the Liberal Party candidate for Street George Division of Tower Hamlets.
He was later narrowly defeated at the general election in 1895 but he concentrated on his continuing work as a London councillor, helping introduce electric trams to London"s streets in 1903.
A year later, he returned to Parliament after winning a by-election at Devonport, a seat he retained until defeated in 1910. Benn senior was appointed a deputy lieutenant of the County of London in February 1905.
Foreign his work as an Member of Parliament, he was knighted in 1906 and created a baronet in 1914. In his final election campaign he was victorious, defeating the Labour Group Leader.
Membership
25th United Kingdom Parliament. 27th United Kingdom Parliament. 28th United Kingdom Parliament]
John Benn remained a member of the London County Council until his death in 1922, leading the Progressive Party until ill health forced him to relinquish that role in 1918.