Benjamin Guinness

Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, 1st Baronet, of Ashford ( born 1 November 1798 in Dublin, † May 19 1868 in London) was an Irish brewer and philanthropist.

Guinness was born in 1798 in Dublin, the son of Arthur Guinness ( 1768-1855 ) and Anne Lee and was thus grandson of the founder of the Guinness brewery. On February 24, 1837 he married Elizabeth Guinness ( 1813-1865 ), his uncle Edward Guinness 's daughter ( 1772-1833 ). After the death of his father in 1855 Guinness took over management of the brewery. Through the expansion of the brewery and profits from the he promoted export trade Guinness became one of the richest men in Ireland.

This wealth he used to finance the renovation of the St. Patrick's Cathedral in the 1860s. As a result, he was in 1867 raised to the baronet.

In addition to his business activities Guinness was also very active politically, so he held in 1851, the office of Lord Mayor of Dublin ( Lord Mayor ) and was from 1865 until his death a member of the House of Commons for the Conservative Party. He died in London and was buried in the cemetery Mount Jerome, Dublin.

After his death, the barony passed to his son Arthur Guinness, 1st Baron Ardilaun, who took over together with his brother, the 1st Earl of Iveagh, the management of the brewery.