Papers of Edward White Benson (1829-1896), Archbishop of Canterbury

Edward White Benson was born in Birmingham in 1829. He entered Trinity in 1848 as a subsizar and graduated in 1852, a Senior Optime and 8th Classic. In the same year he joined Rugby school as a master until in 1859 he was made first Master of the still-unfinished Wellington College. In 1868 he was made examining chaplain and later prebendary of Lincoln, and he resigned his post at Wellington to accept the position of Chancellor of the cathedral in 1872. In 1877 he was consecrated first Bishop of Truro and in 1882 he was translated to the see of Canterbury. He died in 1896.

This collections contain items which were perhaps used by A C Benson in his biography of his father. It includes diaries, 1850-1896, commonplace books, 1848-1896 and typescript copy correspondence, 1842-1896

Please cite as

Palmer, Geoffrey and Lloyd, Noel, Father of the Bensons: the life of Edward White Benson sometime Archbishop of Canterbury

Carr, J A, The life-work of Edward White Benson, DD, sometime Archbishop of Canterbury

Benson, Arthur Christopher, The life of Edward White Benson sometime Archbishop of Canterbury

The substantial collection of Benson's personal papers are held by Lambeth Palace Library. Papers relating to Benson's incumbency of the diocese of Truro are held by the Cornwall Record Office