E. F. Benson
Edward Frederick Benson, commonly known as E. F. Benson, was an English author born on July 24, 1867, in Wellington College, Shropshire. As the son of Edward White Benson, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and a member of a large family, his upbringing was steeped in a scholarly environment. He pursued education at notable institutions like Temple Grove and Marlborough, later attending King’s College, Cambridge, where he graduated with honors in archaeology. Benson's literary career began with the publication of his first book, *Sketches from Marlborough*, in 1888, and he would go on to write over one hundred works, including fiction, biographies, and memoirs.
Benson is particularly celebrated for his *Make Way for Lucia* series, which humorously captures the social dynamics of 1930s high society. Aside from his writing, he was involved in archaeology and contributed significantly to its studies in Britain and Greece. He lived much of his life in London before settling in Rye, East Sussex, where he served as mayor from 1934 to 1937. Benson passed away from throat cancer on February 20, 1940, leaving behind a legacy that continues to intrigue readers today.
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Subject Terms
E. F. Benson
- Born: July 24, 1867
- Birthplace: Wellington College, Shropshire, England
- Died: February 29, 1940
- Place of death: London, England
Biography
Edward Frederick Benson was born on July 24, 1867, at Wellington College in Shropshire, England. He was the fifth of six children, and his parents were Edward White Benson and Mary Sigwick Benson. His father was the college headmaster and a clergyman who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1883 to 1896. Known as “Fred” by his family and friends, Benson attended school at Temple Grove in East Sheen, Surrey, and at Marlborough in Wiltshire. His favorite subjects were English and music, though he finished near the bottom of his class due to his mischievous nature. His first book, Sketches from Marlborough, a collection of essays about his school experiences, was published in 1888.
At twenty, Benson attended Kings College at Cambridge University, where he graduated with honors in archaeology. He later participated in a dig near the city walls in Chester and is credited with some important finds. He would go on to attend the British School of Archaeology in Athens. Benson never married and lived with his family when he was not traveling. He spent most of his adult life in London before moving to Lamb House, in Rye, East Sussex, where he served as mayor from 1934 to 1937. His likeness appears in the west window of St. Mary’s Church in Rye. Benson died of throat cancer at the University College Hospital in London on February 20, 1940.
Benson was a prolific author who wrote more than one hundred books over the course of his career. He is best remembered for his Make Way for Lucia novels, which were a series of four books that offered a humorous look at 1930’s high society and social manners. In addition to his fiction and memoirs, he wrote biographies for members of the British royal family and other famous people of the day. Benson also edited a book on the life of St. Cyprian, a project on which his father had worked for thirty years.