Bens Collection

Big Ben and the Clock Tower of Westminster Palace, London, have been keeping the city's time since 1859

Bens Collection: Lighting up the face of the Clock Tower, London 1900

Lighting up the face of the Clock Tower, London 1900
Every night the caretaker climbs the spiral steps of the the Clock Tower (Elizabeth Tower) to ignite the gas lights behind the dials of the infamous clockface so that London can see the time

Bens Collection: Frustrating an Attempt to Disorganise London

Frustrating an Attempt to Disorganise London
Sixth column strategy: Disguised as Gothic pinnacles the famous clock, Big Ben is being altered by an odd contraption, to confuse the general public. Date: 1940

Bens Collection: Clock Tower, London 1899

Clock Tower, London 1899
The famous clock of the Houses of Parliament. Date: 1899

Bens Collection: It took two men several hours three times a week to wind up the Clock Tower (Elizabeth Tower)

It took two men several hours three times a week to wind up the Clock Tower (Elizabeth Tower), so Londoners could get an accurate time. Date: 1877

The bells inside Big Ben and the Clock Tower in Westminster Palace, London. Date: 1887

Bens Collection: Big Ben and the Clock Tower 1887

Big Ben and the Clock Tower 1887
Behind the scenes of the famous Big Ben, clock tower at Westminiter Palace, London. Date: 1887

Bens Collection: It took two men several hours three times a week to wind up the Clock Tower

It took two men several hours three times a week to wind up the Clock Tower (Elizabeth Tower), so Londoners could get an accurate time. Date: 1900

Bens Collection: In 1935 the 88 year old, Edwin Crocker, known as the Telescope Man

In 1935 the 88 year old, Edwin Crocker, known as the Telescope Man, had completed 40 years at his pitch in front of the Boadicea and Her Daughters, bronze monument, at Westminster

Bens Collection: Roundstone Harbour and the Twelve Bens, Connemara, Co Galway

Roundstone Harbour and the Twelve Bens, Connemara, Co Galway
Roundstone Harbour and the Twelve Bens, Connemara, County Galway, Republic of Ireland

Twelve Bens, Connemara, County Galway, Ireland, Near Clifden

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Big Ben and the Clock Tower of Westminster Palace, London, have been keeping the city's time since 1859. The iconic landmark, which includes the famous bells, was a labor-intensive process, with two men dedicating several hours three times a week to wind it up. In 1877, Londoners relied on this accuracy, as any disorganisation could cause frustration. The clock's importance was further highlighted in 1899 when it thwarted an attempt to disrupt London's timekeeping. Fast forward to 1935, and the clock's significance was felt across the sea in Ireland, where the Twelve Bens of Connemara, County Galway, bore a striking resemblance to the clock tower. The Telescope Man, Edwin Crocker, gazed upon the Irish landscape, perhaps marveling at the engineering feat that brought time to London over 70 years prior.