Turners of the Victorian Era

The Beckford Family (1842-1967)

The Beckford family spanned several generations at the lathe and have been placed in this section since F. J. B. Beckford was the first traceable owner of ornamental turning equipment.

• William Thomas Beckford (1760-l844) – William was one of the most famous of all English eccentrics, builder of Fonthill Abbey near Salisbury and author of the novel Vathek, published in 1786.
• F. J. B. Beckford (1842-1920) –  Son of William, F. J. B. was the first traceable owner of Evans lathe No. 1162. He lived at Parkstone, Dorset (England), presumably where a photo from 1909 shows him happily engaged on the lathe.
• F. W. Beckford (1873-1967) – Son of F. J. B. who was known to have added much equipment to the lathe, some of which has been lost. For example, work created on the lathe appears to have been made using a spiral spherical slide rest which is no longer with the outfit.
• Mrs. F. J. Beckford – F. J. was the niece of F. W. whose farmer sons were apparently responsible for the neglect of the lathe until it was rescued by her other son, Major Adrian. H. Beckford (1934-). He arranged for it to be sold to a Society of Ornamental Turners member who restored it to working condition.

For additional details and photos of pieces created by the Beckfords, see the Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletins #98.

Sources for information in this section