The Lord Mayor of Sheffield is a ceremonial post held by a member of Sheffield City Council. They are elected annually by the council. The post originated in 1843, with the appointment of William Jeffcock as the first Mayor of Sheffield. Early mayors had significant powers, and chaired both council meetings and the bench of magistrates. In 1855, the then mayor was refused a good seat at the opening of the Paris Exhibition, as he did not have a chain of office. As a result, one was purchased the following year, and this has remained in use.