Thomas Chamberlen

{{Short description|Metropolitan borough of the County of London}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Thomas Chamberlen

| office = Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Hammersmith

| order = 1st

| term_start = 1900

| term_end = 1902

| successor = Acton Phillips

| birth_date = {{birth date|1842|02|09|df=yes}}

| death_date = {{death date|1912|08|12|1842|02|09|df=yes}}

| death_place = Hammersmith, London, England

| spouse = Emma Chamberlen

| resting_place = Margravine Cemetery, Hammersmith

| image = Thomas Chamberlen.jpg

}}

Thomas Chamberlen (9 February 1842 – 12 August 1912) was a British builder and politician who served as the first Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Hammersmith from 1900 to 1902.

Career

Chamberlen entered local politics in 1872 as member of both Hammersmith Vestry. In June 1884, Chamberlen was elected to the Fulham District Board of Works, serving on the board, the General and Sanitary Committee, Finance Committee, Works Committee, Cartage Committee, Special Committee, Joint Committee, Law and Parliamentary Committee, Letting Committee and Sub-Cartage Committee, Sub-Works Committee and Sub-Joint Committee.{{Cite web |title=[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Fulham] page 26 |url=https://wellcomelibrary.org/moh/report/b19953549/25#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=4&z=-0.234,0.4463,1.4203,0.5544 |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=wellcomelibrary.org |language=en}} Chamberlen also served on the Burial Board for Hammersmith.

From 1882 to 1891, Chamberlen Brothers built St Paul's Church in Hammersmith, designed by architects were J. P. Seddon and H. R. Gough.{{Cite web |title=St Paul Hammersmith - CHR Church |url=https://facultyonline.churchofengland.org/church-heritage-record-st-paul-hammersmith-623201 |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=facultyonline.churchofengland.org |language=en-GB}}

In 1895, Chamberlen Brothers reconstructed the Lyric Theatre. in Hammersmith.{{Cite web |title=Theatres and Halls in Hammersmith, London |url=http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Hammersmith.htm |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=www.arthurlloyd.co.uk}}

From 1891 to 1987, Chamberlen was a commissioner of the Hammersmith Public Library.{{Cite book |last=LONDON. Hammersmith. Borough of Hammersmith. Council. Hammersmith Public Libraries |url=https://archive.org/details/reportofcommissi1895lond/ |title=Report of the Commissioners (Librarian, Chief Librarian) for the year ended 25th March .. |date=1891 |publisher=London |others=University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign}}

In 1900, Chamberlen was unanimously chosen as the borough's first mayor on 16 November 1900. He served two terms from 1900 to 1902.{{Cite news |date=16 November 1900 |title=Hammersmith Borough Council - Election of Mayor and Aldermen |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000437/19001116/038/0003 |access-date=18 August 2024 |work=West London Observer |pages=3}}

Death and legacy

Chamberlen died on 12 August 1912 in Hammersmith, London.{{Cite web |title=FamilySearch.org |url=https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LBS1-49Q/thomas-chamberlen-1836-1912 |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=ancestors.familysearch.org}} Chamberlen was buried in Margravine Cemetery, Hammersmith at a funeral on 15 August 1912 attended by family, Councillor Frank Mayle, Mayor of Hammersmith and members of the Hammersmith Constitutional Club, the West London Philanthropic Society and the Hammersmith and Arthur Williams Masonic Lodge, as well as a number of residents.{{Cite web |last=Christopher |date=2017-12-01 |title=Blake Memorial Cross |url=https://christopherbellew.com/blake-memorial-cross/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=Blog Bellew |language=en-GB}} The Union Jack at Hammersmith Town Hall was placed at half-mast{{Cite news |date=16 August 1912 |title=Impressive Service at Hammersmith Parish Church |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000437/19120816/082/0005 |access-date=18 August 2024 |work=[[West London Observer[[ |pages=5}}

Known to some as the "father of Hammersmith", Chamberlen's is commemorated on the Hammersmith Mayoral chain and badge through a centre link bearing his initials.{{Cite web |title=Insignia {{!}} London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham |url=https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/councillors-and-democracy/mayors-office/insignia |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=www.lbhf.gov.uk |language=en}} A brass plaque commemorates Chamberlen in St Paul's Church, Hammersmith.{{Cite web |title=Hammersmith Parish Church - St Paul - Bob Speel's website |url=http://www.speel.me.uk/chlondon/hammersmithch.htm |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=www.speel.me.uk}}

References

Category:1842 births

Category:1912 deaths

Category:Members of Hammersmith Metropolitan Borough Council

Category:Mayors of the Metropolitan Borough of Hammersmith