Biography of Victorian architect, Joseph Hansom, his winning design of Birmingham Town Hall was nearly his downfall when it ened in bankruptcy, dabbling in politics and supporting the Co-operative leader Robert Owens frustrated his personal cause. In dire straits he undertook a management post in Hickley, here he designed the Hansom Cab, another venture with fame but little fortune. His base for the next eight years was Preston in Lancashire, this was his most intensive peroid of church building - he was simultaneously working in Scotland and Worcester. By the time he died in 1882 he had inspired a dynasty of Hansom architects.