Background
He was the son of the Review J. Benson, rector of Cradley, Herefordshire, and was born there on 23 April 1689.
He was the son of the Review J. Benson, rector of Cradley, Herefordshire, and was born there on 23 April 1689.
He was educated at Charterhouse School and at Christ Church, Oxford, of which he became a tutor. He matriculated in 1706, graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1712 and Master of Arts
In 1713. Soon after his return he became, in 1721, archdeacon of Berkshire. In 1724 he obtained one of the "golden" prebends in Durham Cathedral. And in 1726 was made chaplain to the Prince of Wales.
On his appointment Benson declared his resolution to accept no higher preferment.
He revived the institution of rural deans, repaved the choir of Gloucester Cathedral, added pinnacles to the lady chapel, and repaired the palace. He visited the diocese of York, under commission from the aging Archbishop Lancelot Blackburne, who left him a service of plate by his will.
He tended Bishop Joseph Butler in his last illness, died a few months later on 30 August 1752, and was buried in his cathedral. Manners with candour are to Benson given,
To Berkeley every virtue under heaven.
His only publications were some separate sermons.