E. F. Benson

Edward Frederic Benson (1867–1940) was an English novelist, biographer, memoirist, archaeologist, and short story writer, known for his witty and well-observed portrayals of Edwardian society and his supernatural fiction. Born to an architect father who would become the Archbishop of Canterbury, Benson was educated at Marlborough and King's College, Cambridge. After his studies, he worked at the British School of Archaeology in Athens, an experience that informed his early novels. Benson's literary career was prolific, encompassing various genres. His most enduring work is perhaps the 'Mapp and Lucia' series, a comedic portrayal of small-town snobbery and eccentric characters, which immortalized him as a master of social satire. His speculative fiction was no less acclaimed, with stories like 'The Room in the Tower' showing a penchant for eerie and macabre themes. In 'The Collected Works of E. F. Benson', readers can explore the breadth of his literary accomplishments. Typically marked by a light, humorous writing style, Benson had the talent for both capturing the foibles of his time and enchanting readers with tales of the supernatural, securing his place as a significant figure in early 20th-century English literature.