[Lawrence Barnett]. British inventor and painter, born in London on the 29th of January 1842. He was educated at Dr. Pinches’ school, and by tutors at his father’s residence. In 1861 he started in business as a wholesale watch and chronometer manufacturer, having invented that form of keyless work which has now been adopted by all English manufacturers. After 1861 he constructed some of the most complicated and highly finished specimens of the horological art, and by the invention of various forms of mechanism did much toward the simplification of chronographs and calculating-machines. He published his Autographic Album in 1866, his Horological Rating Tables in 1871, and A Dictionary of Biographical Reference in 1873. In November 1865, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, and in March 1885, a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. After retiring from business in 1882, he occupied himself as a painter and etcher, being a constant exhibitor at the Royal Academy and the leading London and provincial exhibitions, and was elected an associate of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers.
