The Truth About Big Ben and the Famous Clock Tower

TL;DR

The iconic clock tower in London, often known as Big Ben, is actually named Elizabeth Tower. The name "Big Ben" refers to the bell inside the tower. Its origin is unclear, but it is likely named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the Commissioner of Works at the time of its construction.

Transcript

If you’ve ever been to London, or even seen a picture of London, you’ve probably seen the giant clock tower at the corner of the Palace of Westminster. This tower is one of London’s major icons, ranking right up there with red double-decker buses, the London Eye, and Platform 9 ¾. Contrary to popular belief, the clock tower itself is not named “Big... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤙 The clock tower in London, officially named Elizabeth Tower, is often called Big Ben because of the bell inside it.
• 🇧🇯 The origin of Big Ben's name is believed to be either Sir Benjamin Hall, the Commissioner of Works, or Benjamin Caunt, a popular boxer in the 1850s.
• ❤️‍🔥 The clock tower was built as part of the reconstruction of the Palace of Westminster after a fire in 1834.
• 💨 Construction and installation of the clock took several years, with delays and modifications along the way.
• 🗼 The clock tower's design was a collaboration between Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin.
• 😫 The clock mechanism of Big Ben had to meet strict accuracy standards set by the Astronomer Royal.
• 🫑 The clock tower also underwent renovations and repairs due to cracks in the original bell.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is the clock tower in London called Big Ben?

The clock tower, officially named Elizabeth Tower, is often called Big Ben because of the bell inside it. It is believed to be named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the Commissioner of Works, who was nicknamed "Big Ben."

Q: Who designed the clock tower in London?

The clock tower was designed by Sir Charles Barry, with additional contributions from Augustus Pugin. Pugin's design for the clock mechanism was not officially recognized by Barry.

Q: How long did it take to build the clock tower in London?

Construction on the tower began in 1843, but there were several delays and modifications. The clock was finally installed in 1859, making it a total of 16 years from the start of construction to completion.

Q: Why did the original Big Ben bell crack?

The original Big Ben bell cracked before the clock was even installed in the tower. The exact cause is unclear, but it is believed to be related to the weight of the hammer used to strike the bell.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The clock tower in London, known as Big Ben, is officially named Elizabeth Tower, while Big Ben refers to the bell inside the tower.

• The tower was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the Commissioner of Works, who was nicknamed "Big Ben."

• The clock tower was built after a fire in 1834 destroyed the previous palace, and it went through various delays and modifications before being completed in 1859.