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Edward White Benson

(1829-1896), Archbishop of Canterbury

Sitter in 54 portraits
Beginning his career as a schoolmaster Benson became the master of the new Wellington College in 1859. He was ordained in 1854, and was appointed Bishop of Lincoln in 1869. He served as Chancellor of Lincoln Minster from 1872 until 1877 when he was offered the bishopric of the new diocese of Truro. Benson is best remembered for devising the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, first used in Truro Cathedral on Christmas Eve, 1880. This service is now used every Christmas around the world. In his day however, the event that gave him most notoriety was the trial of Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln. King had been accused of ritualism in 1887, and Benson presided over the hearing, finding in favour of King.

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Edward White Benson, by Albert Bruce-Joy - NPG 2058

Edward White Benson

by Albert Bruce-Joy
plaster cast of bust, circa 1885
NPG 2058

Edward White Benson, after Albert Bruce-Joy - NPG 2058a

Edward White Benson

after Albert Bruce-Joy
bronze bust, 1924, based on a work of circa 1885
NPG 2058a

Edward White Benson; Frederick Temple, by Sir Francis Carruthers Gould ('F.C.G.') - NPG 2870

Edward White Benson; Frederick Temple

by Sir Francis Carruthers Gould ('F.C.G.')
pencil, chalk and wash, circa 1890-1896
NPG 2870

Edward White Benson; Frederick Temple, by Sir Francis Carruthers Gould ('F.C.G.') - NPG 2871

Edward White Benson; Frederick Temple

by Sir Francis Carruthers Gould ('F.C.G.')
pencil, chalk and wash, circa 1890-1896
NPG 2871

Edward White Benson, by Unknown photographer - NPG P1700(17a)

Edward White Benson

by Unknown photographer
albumen print, 1895 or before
NPG P1700(17a)

Edward White Benson, by Unknown artist - NPG 2353

Edward White Benson

by Unknown artist
plaster cast of death-mask, after 1896
NPG 2353

Edward White Benson, by Walker & Boutall, after  John Jabez Edwin Mayall - NPG x134607

Edward White Benson

by Walker & Boutall, after John Jabez Edwin Mayall
photogravure, (1867)
NPG x134607

Edward White Benson, by Frederick Argall - NPG x741

Edward White Benson

by Frederick Argall
albumen carte-de-visite, 1877-1882
NPG x741

Edward White Benson, by Lock & Whitfield, published by  Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington - NPG Ax17586

Edward White Benson

by Lock & Whitfield, published by Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington
woodburytype, published 1880
NPG Ax17586

Edward White Benson, by Lock & Whitfield, published by  Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington - NPG x748

Edward White Benson

by Lock & Whitfield, published by Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington
woodburytype, published 1880
NPG x748

Edward White Benson, by Albert Eugene Fradelle - NPG x742

Edward White Benson

by Albert Eugene Fradelle
albumen cabinet card, 1882-1885
NPG x742

Edward White Benson, by Francis Henry Hart, for  Elliott & Fry - NPG x745

Edward White Benson

by Francis Henry Hart, for Elliott & Fry
albumen cabinet card, 1883-1893
NPG x745

Edward White Benson, by Francis Henry Hart, for  Elliott & Fry - NPG x9035

Edward White Benson

by Francis Henry Hart, for Elliott & Fry
albumen cabinet card, 1883-1893
NPG x9035

Edward White Benson, by Alexander Bassano - NPG x137563

Edward White Benson

by Alexander Bassano
albumen cabinet card, 1883
NPG x137563

Edward White Benson, by Alexander Bassano - NPG x96161

Edward White Benson

by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1883
NPG x96161

Edward White Benson, by Alexander Bassano - NPG x96164

Edward White Benson

by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1883
NPG x96164

Edward White Benson, by Alexander Bassano - NPG x96165

Edward White Benson

by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1883
NPG x96165

Edward White Benson, by Alexander Bassano - NPG x96166

Edward White Benson

by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1883
NPG x96166

Edward White Benson, by Alexander Bassano - NPG x96167

Edward White Benson

by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1883
NPG x96167

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