Edward John Dent
Edward John Dent 1790-1853 was a famous English watchmaker noted for his highly accurate clocks and chronometers.
Dent learned the clockmaker's trade from Richard Rippon and during 1815, established a reputation as a builder of accurate chronometers. His reputation for precision eventually brought requests from the Admiralty and the East India Company. Dent confirmed his expertise by creating in 1829 a chronometer action that incorporated an improved method of reducing the timing errors caused by fluctuations in temperature. From 1830 until 1840 he was the partner of John Roger Arnold in the manufacturing of first-rate clocks and watches. Afterwards as the proprietor of three clock shops in London, Dent won the esteem of Sir George Airy, the astronomer royal, who recommended him as the maker of a large clock for the tower of the new Royal Exchange. Dent established a workshop in the Savoy to produce this excellent timepiece, which was installed in 1844.
In 1852 Dent won the commission to make the great clock now called Big Ben for the Houses of Parliament at Westminster, but he died before completing the project. Upon the death of Rippon, Dent had married his widow, whose sons Frederick and Richard took Dent's name and succeeded to his business. Frederick Rippon Dent finished Big Ben in 1854.
Dent learned the clockmaker's trade from Richard Rippon and during 1815, established a reputation as a builder of accurate chronometers. His reputation for precision eventually brought requests from the Admiralty and the East India Company. Dent confirmed his expertise by creating in 1829 a chronometer action that incorporated an improved method of reducing the timing errors caused by fluctuations in temperature. From 1830 until 1840 he was the partner of John Roger Arnold in the manufacturing of first-rate clocks and watches. Afterwards as the proprietor of three clock shops in London, Dent won the esteem of Sir George Airy, the astronomer royal, who recommended him as the maker of a large clock for the tower of the new Royal Exchange. Dent established a workshop in the Savoy to produce this excellent timepiece, which was installed in 1844.
In 1852 Dent won the commission to make the great clock now called Big Ben for the Houses of Parliament at Westminster, but he died before completing the project. Upon the death of Rippon, Dent had married his widow, whose sons Frederick and Richard took Dent's name and succeeded to his business. Frederick Rippon Dent finished Big Ben in 1854.
THE Royal Warrant was granted June 16th 1884. Thomas Buckey then trading as Messrs. E.DENT & Company was appointed into the Place and Quality of Chronometer, Clock and Watchmaker to Her Majesty, the then Queen Victoria. Dents obtained a lease for 61 Strand on April 19th 1850, George Nicholson (on behalf of the Marques of Salisbury) agreed to let 61 New Exchange Buildings in the Stand to E.J. Dent for a term of 21 years at £200 per annum. In 1870 this rental was increased to £300 when the lease was renewed for a further 21 years. They relinquished their leases on No, 34 and 35 Royal Exchange in 1884 and moved to No 4 Royal Exchange thus trading from both premises (61 Stand and 4 Royal Exchange) In 1884 the trademark of Dent The Triangle plaque was brought in As the official trademark of Dent. The Dent Family tree and reference to this famous firm of chronometer makers is well documented in Edward Dent and his Successors by Vaudrey Mercer. Printed by the Antiquarian Horological Society in 1977 contents of over 800 pages
F. Dent, 61, Strand, and 34 and 35, Royal Exchange, Chronometer, Watch, and Clock Maker, by appointment, to the Queen and Prince Albert; sole successor to the late E. J. Dent in all his patent rights and business of the above shops, and at the clock and compass factory at Somerset-wharf; maker of chronometers, watches, astronomical, turret, and other clocks, dipleidoscopes, and patent ships' compasses, used on board her Majesty's yacht. Ladies' gold watches, 8 guineas; gentlemen's 10 guineas; strong silver lever watches, £6 6s. Church Clocks, with compensation pendulum, £85.
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