Edward White Benson (1829-1896), Archbishop of Canterbury
Sitter in 49 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|mp86924}. King had been accused of ritualism in 1887, and Benson presided over the hearing, finding in favour of King.
by Frederick Sargent
pencil, 1870s or 1880s?
NPG 5600
by Albert Bruce-Joy
plaster cast of bust, circa 1885
NPG 2058
after Albert Bruce-Joy
bronze bust, 1924 (circa 1885)
NPG 2058a
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.')
pencil, chalk and wash, circa 1890-1896
NPG 2871
by Unknown artist
plaster cast of death-mask, after 1896
NPG 2353
by Walker & Boutall, after John Jabez Edwin Mayall
photogravure, (1867)
NPG x134607
by Frederick Argall
albumen carte-de-visite, 1877-1882
NPG x741
by Elliott & Fry
albumen cabinet card, 1880s
NPG x9035
by Lock & Whitfield, published by Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington
woodburytype, published 1880
NPG x748
by Albert Eugene Fradelle
albumen cabinet card, 1882-1885
NPG x742
by Elliott & Fry
albumen cabinet card, mid 1880s
NPG x745
by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1883
NPG x96161
by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1883
NPG x96164
by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1883
NPG x96165
by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1883
NPG x96166
by Alexander Bassano
half-plate glass negative, 1883
NPG x96167
by Elliott & Fry
chlorobromide print on cream card mount, 1886
NPG x127409
by Walery, published by Sampson Low & Co
carbon print on card mount, published December 1888
NPG Ax9108
by Samuel Alexander Walker, printed by Waterlow & Sons Ltd
carbon print, published July 1889
NPG Ax38331
Religion and Belief
Groups
Archbishops of Canterbury
Ministers and preachers
Places
Kent
Lincolnshire






















