(1870-1961), engineer

Ernest Cranstoun Given was born on the 11th November 1870. He was educated at Harrow and University College, Liverpool. He started his career as an engineer in the service of the Cape Government Railways in 1889. When he left South Africa in 1892 he spent some years in America working in Philadelphia, first for William Cramp and Sons and later for Priestman and Company. In 1896 he returned back to England and from 1897 to 1917 he was a partner in Flannery and Given, Liverpool.

From 1917 to 1919 Given was Director of Airship Production, Admiralty and 1919-1920 was Director-General of Factories, Ministry of Munitions. After the First World War he undertook a great deal of public work, presiding over the Appeal Tribunal of the Assistance Board from 1935 to 1946 and serving on the L. C. C Social Welfare Committee from 1930 to 1952. From 1939 to 1946 he was Referee, Ministry of Health Evacuation Assessments. Given was a member of the governing bodies of the South-East Technical College, of the Distributive Trades Technical College, and of the Putney group of the Putney group of Hospitals.

Given was married to a Winifred, they had two daughters. He died on the 16th May 1961.