Person Open DS/UK/3828 Benson; Sir; Frank (4 November 1858-31 December 1939); British actor-manager Benson Frank Sir 4 November 1858-31 December 1939 British actor-manager Male (cisgender) Francis Robert Benson Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England (born)

British Actor Theatre Manager White No known disability No known religious affiliation Son of William Benson (barrister) and Elizabeth Soulsby Smith Sibling of William Arthur Smith Benson (architect) and Godfrey Rathbone Benson (Baron Charnwood, Liberal politician) Cousin of Basil Rathbone (actor) Spouse of Constance Benson (actress) Heterosexual Sir Francis Robert Benson was an English actor-manager. He founded his own company in 1883 and produced all but two of Shakespeare's plays. His thirty-year association with the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre and the annual Shakespeare Festival in Stratford-upon-Avon laid down foundations for the creation of the Royal Shakespeare Company after his death. Benson's company toured widely, with few London seasons, and became a training ground for several generations of young performers, including Henry Ainley, Oscar Asche, Lilian Braithwaite, Isadora Duncan, Nigel Playfair, Nancy Price,Harcourt Williams and Moffat Johnston. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Benson_(actor) (2023) International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition - ICA 2004 ISBN 2-9521932-2-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 Yes RAHhbryony 1/15/2013 RAHAKIRKBRIDE 6/3/2025 ce343443-3f61-4d0d-a206-bb6495a05967