Nigel Benson
Encyclopedia
Nigel C. Benson is a British author and illustrator.
Nigel Benson was born in Newport Pagnell
, Buckinghamshire
, son of Ralph H. Benson, a fine artist specializing in oils and pastels, and Heather M. Benson. He grew up in Dunstable
, Bedfordshire, and was educated at Dunstable Grammar School
(where film star Gary Cooper
and other notables were taught). He gained an Honours Degree in Psychology
at North East London Polytechnic (now the University of East London
) and a Masters Degree in Education
through the Open University
. He is a PhD
research student at the University of London
Institute of Education
.
Dunstable in Detail (1986), published by The Book Castle, was Nigel Benson's first full-length book. This book includes original pen-and-ink illustrations and photographs plus a unique pull-out map of Dunstable
town centre. There are 100 numbered features of interest within a half mile radius of the crossroads at the town centre, plus an extensive index and bibliography, enabling the book to be used as a practical tour guide as well as the standard reference for Dunstable's history.
The book cover shows the Dunstable Priory Church, founded 1132 (one of the original illustrations by Nigel Benson). It was at this church that Henry VIII
formally announced his divorce with Queen Catherine of Aragon
in 1533.
Nigel Benson is more widely known for his trilogy published by Icon Books (UK) / Totem (US):
Introducing Psychology (1998), an international best-seller, has been published in 17 languages in 24 countries. Nigel Benson designed the original cover.
Introducing Psychotherapy
(2003), illustrated by Borin Van Loon
, includes a summary of alternative/complementary therapies as well as the conventional therapies, including the talking cures of psychoanalysis, behavioural and cognitive techniques, somatic solutions, and individual and group therapies.
Introducing Psychiatry
(2004), illustrated by Piero, includes a brief history of psychiatry, what happens when someone visits a psychiatrist, a summary of the eight main categories of mental disorders, criticisms such as the Anti-Psychiatry
movement, and the possible future of psychiatry.
Other writings include contributions to the three separate hard-back books:
'The Healing Brain' (2002) Readers Digest
'A Good Memory' (2002) Readers Digest
'The Conscious and Unconscious Brain' (2002) Readers Digest
Nigel Benson was born in Newport Pagnell
Newport Pagnell
Newport Pagnell is a town in the Borough of Milton Keynes , England. It is separated by the M1 motorway from Milton Keynes itself, though part of the same urban area...
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, son of Ralph H. Benson, a fine artist specializing in oils and pastels, and Heather M. Benson. He grew up in Dunstable
Dunstable
Dunstable is a market town and civil parish located in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London. These geographical features form several steep chalk escarpments most noticeable when approaching Dunstable from the north.-Etymology:In...
, Bedfordshire, and was educated at Dunstable Grammar School
Dunstable Grammar School
Dunstable Grammar School was a grammar school in the market town of Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England. Opened in 1888, it was closed in 1971.-Foundation:...
(where film star Gary Cooper
Gary Cooper
Frank James Cooper, known professionally as Gary Cooper, was an American film actor. He was renowned for his quiet, understated acting style and his stoic, but at times intense screen persona, which was particularly well suited to the many Westerns he made...
and other notables were taught). He gained an Honours Degree in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
at North East London Polytechnic (now the University of East London
University of East London
The University of East London is a university located in the London Borough of Newham, East London, England, based at two campuses in Stratford and Docklands areas...
) and a Masters Degree in Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
through the Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
. He is a PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
research student at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
Institute of Education
Institute of Education
The Institute of Education is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom specialised in postgraduate study and research in the field of education and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It is the largest education research body in the United Kingdom, with...
.
Dunstable in Detail (1986), published by The Book Castle, was Nigel Benson's first full-length book. This book includes original pen-and-ink illustrations and photographs plus a unique pull-out map of Dunstable
Dunstable
Dunstable is a market town and civil parish located in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London. These geographical features form several steep chalk escarpments most noticeable when approaching Dunstable from the north.-Etymology:In...
town centre. There are 100 numbered features of interest within a half mile radius of the crossroads at the town centre, plus an extensive index and bibliography, enabling the book to be used as a practical tour guide as well as the standard reference for Dunstable's history.
The book cover shows the Dunstable Priory Church, founded 1132 (one of the original illustrations by Nigel Benson). It was at this church that Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
formally announced his divorce with Queen Catherine of Aragon
Catherine of Aragon
Catherine of Aragon , also known as Katherine or Katharine, was Queen consort of England as the first wife of King Henry VIII of England and Princess of Wales as the wife to Arthur, Prince of Wales...
in 1533.
Nigel Benson is more widely known for his trilogy published by Icon Books (UK) / Totem (US):
Introducing Psychology (1998), an international best-seller, has been published in 17 languages in 24 countries. Nigel Benson designed the original cover.
Introducing Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
(2003), illustrated by Borin Van Loon
Borin Van Loon
Borin Van Loon is a freelance illustrator . He is an author, collagist and surrealist painter and has worked for a wide variety of clients in editorial, publishing and promotion...
, includes a summary of alternative/complementary therapies as well as the conventional therapies, including the talking cures of psychoanalysis, behavioural and cognitive techniques, somatic solutions, and individual and group therapies.
Introducing Psychiatry
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
(2004), illustrated by Piero, includes a brief history of psychiatry, what happens when someone visits a psychiatrist, a summary of the eight main categories of mental disorders, criticisms such as the Anti-Psychiatry
Anti-psychiatry
Anti-psychiatry is a configuration of groups and theoretical constructs that emerged in the 1960s, and questioned the fundamental assumptions and practices of psychiatry, such as its claim that it achieves universal, scientific objectivity. Its igniting influences were Michel Foucault, R.D. Laing,...
movement, and the possible future of psychiatry.
Other writings include contributions to the three separate hard-back books:
'The Healing Brain' (2002) Readers Digest
'A Good Memory' (2002) Readers Digest
'The Conscious and Unconscious Brain' (2002) Readers Digest