Frank W. Benson

Born: March 24, 1862

Died: November 15, 1951

Burial Location: Harmony Grove Cemetery, Lot 913, Grave 12, Woodbine Path

Frank Weston Benson was born to parents George Wiggin Benson and Elisabeth Poole Benson.

In his early years, he lived at 46 Washington Square, Salem, later (1925-1951) at 14 Chestnut St. Salem. He was descended from a long line of ships captains. He had one brother, John Prentiss Benson. Frank Benson was fascinated by nature. This fact contributes to the beauty of his paintings: his use of light, portraits and sporting pictures.

Benson attended the School of Drawing and Painting at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts from 1880 until 1882. In 1883 he moved to Paris and studied at the Academie Julien until 1885. He had received a gift of $2,000.00 from his parents who told him he could study until he ran out on funds.

Returning to the United States, he shared a studio with Philip Little. In 1888, he married Ellen Perry Peirson. The couple had four children: Eleanor, George, Elisabeth and Sylvia. The children were often the subjects of their father’s art works.

Benson worked as an instructor at the Portland Maine School of Art. In 1889, he became a member of the faculty at the Museum of Fine Arts School of Drawing and Painting in Boston, a position he held until 1923.

During his long career, many exhibitions of his work were held. His work was called fresh and vital. He worked in various mediums: watercolor, oil and etching. Benson’s still life work contained many objects which were perhaps brought back from the worldwide voyages of his ancestors.

Other than the items given to friends and family members, most of his work was sold during lifetime and resides in many museums today.

Sources Consulted:

• ‍Book:‍
  • The Art of Frank W. Benson: American Impressionist, Exhibition Catalog and Essays.‍
  • Editors: Faith Andrews Bedford, Laurene Buckley, Dean T. Lahikainen, Jane M. Winchell.
  • Salem, Massachusetts. Peabody Essex Museum: 2000.
• Websites:
  • Salwiki: www.noblenet.org/salem/wiki/ index.php? title Frank Weston Benson&oldid= 10175accessed 5/19/2022
  • Wikipedia: en Wikipedia/org/w/index. php? title=Frank_ Weston_Benson&oldid1066062552 accessed 5/19/2022.