E. F. Benson

Date of Birth: July 24, 1867

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: February 29, 1940

Biography

Edward Frederic Benson, commonly known as E. F. Benson, was an English novelist, biographer, memoirist, archaeologist, and short story writer, best known for his Mapp and Lucia series. Born into a family of notable literary and intellectual figures, Benson was the son of Edward White Benson, an Archbishop of Canterbury, and Mary Sidgwick Benson. He was born in Wellington College, Berkshire, where his father was the first headmaster. Benson attended Marlborough College and King’s College, Cambridge, where he developed his initial interest in writing. Benson’s career as a novelist began with the publication of “Dodo” in 1893, a satirical novel that gained immediate success and was followed by two sequels. He went on to write over 60 books, including novels, biographies, memoirs, and collections of short stories. His most enduring work remains the series of humorous novels known as the Mapp and Lucia series, which depict the lives and rivalries of two formidable women in a fictional English seaside town. Apart from his literary career, Benson had a keen interest in archaeology and was involved in several significant excavations, including those in Cyprus. He also served as the mayor of Rye, Sussex, where he spent the latter part of his life.

5 Interesting Facts about E. F. Benson

1. E. F. Benson was the brother of novelist and poet A. C. Benson, who wrote the lyrics to the famous song “Land of Hope and Glory.”

2. He was an accomplished figure skater and even wrote a book on the subject titled “Figure Skating.”

3. Benson was a close friend of the famous author Henry James, who significantly influenced his writing style.

4. His ghost stories, particularly those in the collections “The Room in the Tower” and “Visible and Invisible,” are highly regarded in the genre.

5. Benson served as the mayor of Rye, Sussex, from 1934 to 1937.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from E. F. Benson

1. “All the best stories in the world are but one story in reality—the story of escape.”

2. “The most hopelessly stupid man is he who is not aware that he is wise.”

3. “It is often quite futile to try to talk facts and analysis to people who are enjoying a sense of moral superiority in their ignorance.”

4. “The crowd is the gathering place of the weakest; true creation is a solitary act.”

5. “Though we have two eyes, we are given but one tongue, in order that we may see twice as much as we say.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

E. F. Benson’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but it is estimated that he was moderately wealthy, largely due to the success of his Mapp and Lucia series and his other literary works.