Robert Hugh Benson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robert Hugh Benson |
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 Photo of Benson by G. Jerrard, 1912 |
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| Born | 18 November 1871 in Wellington College, Berkshire |
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| Died | 19 October 1914 (aged 42) in Bishop's house Salford Cathedral, Salford |
| Church | Roman Catholic |
| Ordained | 1904 |
| Parents | Edward White Benson and Mary Sidgwick Benson |
Robert Hugh Benson (born November 18, 1871 – died October 19, 1914) was an English writer and priest. He started his career as an Anglican priest. In 1903, he joined the Roman Catholic Church. He became a Catholic priest in 1904.
Benson was a very busy writer. He wrote many different kinds of books. These included historical stories, scary tales, and science fiction. He also wrote books for children, plays, and religious works. One of his most famous books is Lord of the World (1907). This book is a dystopian novel, which means it shows a future world where things have gone very wrong. He became a special assistant to Pope Pius X in 1911. This gave him the title of Monsignor.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Robert Hugh Benson was the youngest son in his family. His father, Edward White Benson, was a very important church leader. He was the Archbishop of Canterbury. Robert also had two older brothers, Edward Frederic Benson and Arthur Christopher Benson. All three brothers became famous writers.
Robert went to Eton College, a well-known school. After that, he studied old languages and religious topics at Trinity College, Cambridge. This was from 1890 to 1893.
In 1895, Robert Benson became a priest in the Church of England. His own father, the Archbishop, was the one who made him a priest.
Career as a Priest and Writer
After his father passed away in 1896, Robert traveled to the Middle East. This trip helped him feel better. While there, he started thinking deeply about his faith. He began to wonder about the Church of England. He also thought about the Roman Catholic Church.
He became more interested in a traditional style of worship. He explored joining different religious groups within the Anglican Church. He eventually joined the Community of the Resurrection.
In 1901, Benson formally joined this community. At that time, he did not plan to leave the Church of England. But as he studied more and started writing, he felt unsure about his beliefs. On September 11, 1903, he officially joined the Catholic Church. He became a Roman Catholic priest in 1904. This was a big event because his father had been the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Robert Benson's first job as a Catholic priest was helping students at a college. He was known as a popular speaker. Many people came to hear him preach. In 1914, he visited the University of Notre Dame in the United States. He gave a speech about the Pope. Two of his books, Confessions of a Convert and Lourdes, were first published in a magazine there. He also received an award called the Dignitary of Honour of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.
Robert Hugh Benson: The Novelist
Benson kept writing books while working as a priest. Like his brothers, he wrote many ghost stories and horror stories. He also wrote books for children and historical novels. His scary stories are found in books like The Light Invisible (1903).
His book Lord of the World (1907) is famous. It is seen as one of the first modern dystopian novels. In this book, he imagined the year 2007. He predicted that many churches would disappear. Only the Catholic Church would remain strong. He also wrote about powerful weapons that could destroy cities.
In his next novel, The Dawn of All (1911), he imagined a different future. In this book, the Catholic Church becomes very powerful around the world. This book also predicted global air travel. Come Rack! Come Rope! (1912) is a historical novel. It tells about Catholics being treated badly in England long ago.
He also wrote a series of three historical novels. These are called the Reformation Trilogy. They include By What Authority (1905), The King’s Achievement (1905), and The Queen’s Tragedy (1907).
Becoming a Vatican Chaplain
In 1911, Benson was given a special role. He became a private assistant to the Pope, Pope Pius X. Because of this, he was given the title of Monsignor.
Private Life
Robert Hugh Benson had close friends. He was friends with the writer Frederick Rolfe. He also kept his friendship with Lord Alfred Douglas. When someone suggested this friendship was not proper, Benson replied that Douglas was his friend and welcome to visit anytime.
Death and Legacy
Robert Hugh Benson died in 1914 from pneumonia. He was 42 years old. He was in Salford, England, giving a series of talks. He asked to be buried in the orchard of his home, Hare Street House. A small chapel was built over his burial spot.
Benson left his house to the Catholic Church. It was meant to be a quiet place for the Archbishop of Westminster. A Catholic church nearby, in Buntingford, is named after St. Richard of Chichester. But it is also known as the Benson Memorial Church because he helped pay for it.
In 2019, his house was put up for sale. Benson's body was moved to a crypt at St. Edmund's College.
There is a Catholic reading group at Fisher House, Cambridge. It is called the Benson Club, named in his honor.
Gallery
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Portrait of Benson
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Benson's birthplace.
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Benson, aged 5, with Beth in 1876.
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A. C. Benson, R. H. Benson and E. F. Benson, 1882.
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Benson in 1889, aged 17, at Eton.
Works
Robert Hugh Benson wrote many books. Here are some of his works:
Science Fiction
- Lord of the World (1907)
- The Dawn of All (1911)
Historical Fiction
- By What Authority (1905)
- The King’s Achievement (1905)
- The Queen’s Tragedy (1907)
- Come Rack! Come Rope! (1912)
Contemporary Fiction
- An Average Man (1913)
Children's Books
- Old Testament Rhymes
Devotional Works
- The Light Invisible (1903)
- A Mirror of Shallott (1907)
Apologetic Works
- Confessions of a Convert (1913)
- Lourdes (1914)
Plays
- The Maid of Orleans, a Drama of the Life of Joan of Arc (1911)
- The Upper Room, a Drama of Christ's Passion (1914)
See also
In Spanish: Robert Hugh Benson para niños
