Educated at Temple Grove, Eton and King's College, Cambridge, Benson joined the staff of Eton and later became the schoolmaster and school historian. He held this post until he retired in 1903. He began publishing poetry around 1892 and in 1902 published the libretto for Elgar's Coronation Ode; Land of Hope and Glory brought him instant national fame which has lasted to this day. After leaving Eton, he co-edited Queen Victoria's correspondence (3 Vols. 1907) and was made Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. He was elected fellow of Magdalene College in 1904 and in 1912 was elected as its president. In 1915, he was appointed Master of Magdalene. A Noted and respected essayist, Benson's From a College Window (1906) was extremely popular at the time. Benson also left behind his diary. At some four million words it ranks as one of the longest diaries ever written. His other works include Men of Might, Studies of Great Characters (1892), Alfred Tennyson (1904), House of Quiet (1906), Altar Fire (1907), At Large (1908), Child of the Dawn (1912), Father Payne (1915), Hugh, Memoirs of a Brother (1915), Memories and Friends (1924) and Rambles and Reflections (1926 Posthumous). |
Chrysoma Associates Limited
