Brightwen Binyon was born at Headley Grange, Victoria Park, Manchester, on 30 May 1846, to Jane née Brightwen (1805–1890) and Edward Binyon (1791–1855), a sugar refiner and tea dealer.
[6] In 1890, Sunderland, County Durham held an architectural design competition for a town hall on Fawcett Street.
This competition was judged by Alfred Waterhouse and was won by Brightwen Binyon.
The competition was dogged by accusations of corruption due to the link between Binyon and Waterhouse.
The design was based on the timber-framed Market House, which was opposite the site.
In about 1892, the family moved to 'The Cedars', Anglesea Road, Ipswich and, after being in practice for over 25 years, he retired in 1897.