BENSON, Francis Robert

Francis Robert Benson (1858-1939), known as Frank, was an actor, whom Charles Binyon referred to as a cousin.  He was actually a second-cousin-once-removed.  Charles’ great-grandmother, Abigail Benson, married David Dockray.  Frank’s grandfather, Robert Rathbone Benson, was the younger brother of Abigail; he married Mary Dockray, who was sister to David Dockray.

Frank was born at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, on 4th November 1858, the third son and fourth child of William Benson, a barrister, and his wife, Elizabeth (née Soulsby Smith).

After a brief career as a tennis player, he then turned to acting.  He joined a touring company and soon took it over.  In 1886, he married a member of his company, Constance Featherstonhaugh, and had two children.

In 1886, Frank and his company were invited to open that year's Shakespeare Festival at Stratford-upon-Avon.  From then until 1919 he presented all but five of the annual Stratford seasons, having taken the role of manager from 1888.

Frank Benson died in London on 31st December 1939.