Michael Benson (poet)

Michael Benson (1795 - 1871) was a 19th-century printer and poet from the Tyneside area of North East England. He was working as a printer from 1838 until his death.[1]

Life

Very little is known of him except for a comment in Allan’s Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings, with lives, portraits and autographs of the writers, and notes on the songs, revised edition[2][3] Benson was a member of the “Stars of Friendship” fraternal organization. According to the book, he was known as “probably the oldest master printer in the town”. He is remembered for his address, which he entitled “The Birth of Friendship's Star” and which he read at the 1828 Christmas Day anniversary dinner. The reading was apparently generally accepted as the best address of the evening, and this included one given by a colleague and other Gateshead born poet, John Selkirk, writer of "Swalwell Hopping" and songs about Bob Cranky.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Michael Benson". University of Birmingham. Retrieved 2012-03-06.; this cites Hunt, C. J., The Book Trade in Northumberland and Durham to 1860 (Newcastle upon Tyne, 1975); Wallis, P. J., The Book Trade in Northumberland and Durham to 1860: a supplement to C J Hunt's Biographical Dictionary (Newcastle upon Tyne, 1981)
  2. ↑ "Allan’s Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings".
  3. ↑ Allan’s Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings; with lives, portraits and autographs of the writers, and notes on the songs (Revised ed.). 18 Blackett Street, and 34 Collingwood Street, (Newcastle upon Tyne) – Sold by W. Allan, 80 Grainger Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, B. Allan, North Shields and Walter Scott. London: Thomas & George Allan. 1891.


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