Undergraduate at Christ Church, and influenced by Pusey and Newman he became Vicar of Cowley 1850-1886. He founded the Society of Mission Priests of St John the Evangelist (SSJE - Cowley Fathers), the oldest surviving Anglican men's community. Father Benson was a retreat conductor, pastor, teacher and spiritual director who built up a parish and conducted many missions. He was known for his monastic discipline and built up a community with mission work in the USA, Japan, Canada, South Africa and India.