Robert Benson (barrister)
Encyclopedia
Robert Benson was a barrister
and author who served as recorder
of Salisbury
. He was born in Salisbury as the youngest son of the Rev. Edmund Benson, priest-vicar of Salisbury Cathedral
. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge
, receiving his Bachelor of Arts
in 1818 and his Master of Arts in 1821. He became a barrister in 1821 at the bar of the Middle Temple
, and practised in the courts of equity. In 1823 he went to Corsica
as one of the commissioners to carry out the bequests of former Corsican leader Pasquale Paoli
. On his return Benson published a book called Sketches of Corsica; or a Journal written during a visit to that island in 1823, with an outline of its history and specimens of the language and poetry of the people (London, 1825).
He was elected deputy recorder of Salisbury in 1829, and became recorder in 1836. In 1837 he published a biography of the philosopher Arthur Collier
, called Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Rev. Arthur Collier. In 1843, a volume on the History of Salisbury was published as part of Sir Richard Colt Hoare's History of Modern Wiltshire. The volume carried Benson's name along with that of Henry Hatcher, another resident of Salisbury, as the authors. However, Benson wrote only a very small portion of the book, which created a controversy between him and Hatcher.
Benson died unmarried at the house of his only surviving sister on 21 June 1844, and was buried in Salisbury Cathedral with the other members of his family.
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
and author who served as recorder
Recorder (judge)
A Recorder is a judicial officer in England and Wales. It now refers to two quite different appointments. The ancient Recorderships of England and Wales now form part of a system of Honorary Recorderships which are filled by the most senior full-time circuit judges...
of Salisbury
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
. He was born in Salisbury as the youngest son of the Rev. Edmund Benson, priest-vicar of Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture....
. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, receiving his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1818 and his Master of Arts in 1821. He became a barrister in 1821 at the bar of the Middle Temple
Middle Temple
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers; the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn...
, and practised in the courts of equity. In 1823 he went to Corsica
Corsica
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
as one of the commissioners to carry out the bequests of former Corsican leader Pasquale Paoli
Pasquale Paoli
Filippo Antonio Pasquale di Paoli , was a Corsican patriot and leader, the president of the Executive Council of the General Diet of the People of Corsica...
. On his return Benson published a book called Sketches of Corsica; or a Journal written during a visit to that island in 1823, with an outline of its history and specimens of the language and poetry of the people (London, 1825).
He was elected deputy recorder of Salisbury in 1829, and became recorder in 1836. In 1837 he published a biography of the philosopher Arthur Collier
Arthur Collier
Arthur Collier was an English Anglican priest and philosopher.-Early life:Collier was born at the rectory of Steeple Langford, Wiltshire...
, called Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Rev. Arthur Collier. In 1843, a volume on the History of Salisbury was published as part of Sir Richard Colt Hoare's History of Modern Wiltshire. The volume carried Benson's name along with that of Henry Hatcher, another resident of Salisbury, as the authors. However, Benson wrote only a very small portion of the book, which created a controversy between him and Hatcher.
Benson died unmarried at the house of his only surviving sister on 21 June 1844, and was buried in Salisbury Cathedral with the other members of his family.