Benjamin Backhouse

In early life Backhouse, with his young wife and two children, came out to Australia and settled down in Geelong, Victoria.

He soon made a name for himself as an architect, and two months after his arrival succeeded in winning a hundred-guinea prize for the best design for a stock exchange for that city.

His professional skill was recognised by his election for 12 years as the chairman of the City of Sydney Improvement Board.

On one occasion he had a long conference with William Gladstone and at another time he was honoured by being elected an honorary associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Benjamin Backhouse died of heart failure at his residence, Ardath, Queen's Avenue, Rushcutters Bay, Sydney, on 29 July 1904.