The “Dodo”
The E. F. Benson Society’s Journal
It was a prime objective of the founders of the E. F. Benson Society way back in 1986 that the society should produce a journal in which members could explore the Benson family in more depth than at our meetings. My thanks are due to the many speakers at events who allowed their papers to be promulgated through the DODO to the many members of the society who could not attend its meetings.
Our thanks go to all our contributors and to the editors:
- Frank Kibblewhite – 1986 – 1988
- Julie Speedie – 1989 – 1990
- Keith Cavers – 1991 – 1999
- Allan Downend – 2000 – 2018
- Keith Cavers – 2019 – 2025
And also to members of the Editorial Committee over the years: Barry Wellington, Henry Vivian-Neal, Colin Mason & Nicolas Cressey.
We must also thank Joyce Hargreaves who not only embellished many issues of the Dodo with an impressively large numbers of artworks but who was responsible for typesetting the journal for many years. Nick Tudor was the artist who created our E .F. Benson Society logo with the bridge players and though it has not been there from the beginning (we used the three trefoils of the Bensons armorial in the early years), it has stood us in very good stead for many years.
Back numbers of The Dodo are available from Adams of Rye – please see the Publications page for details.
Index
The following index is arranged by subject and lists articles with either the Dodo volume number or one of the following other Society publications:
TT: Tilling Tales
B1,B2 or B3: Bensoniana 1, 2 or 3
E. F. Benson – Life and Character
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
An angry Letter (EFB in trouble) |
Roger Collier |
33 |
2019 |
|
Benson’s Lies |
Keith Cavers |
22 |
2008 |
|
The Beesly Version |
Keith Cavers |
29 |
2015 |
|
The Best Years of Your Life |
Nick Cressey |
23 |
2009 |
|
E. F. Benson at Temple Grove |
Keith Cavers |
1 |
1986 |
|
E. F. Benson’s Eminent Friends 1 |
Gwen Watkins |
14 |
2000 |
|
E. F. Benson: an appreciation (obituary) |
anon |
26 |
2012 |
|
E. F. Benson as Revealed in his Novels |
Gwen Watkins |
11 |
1996 |
|
E. F. Benson: obituary (1940) |
Francis Yeats-Brown |
20 |
2006 |
|
Fashion and Fred |
Gwen Watkins |
7 |
1991 |
|
Fred in the High Court |
compiled by Keith Cavers |
37 |
2023 |
|
A Further Turns of the Screw (…) |
Gwen Watkins & Allan Downend |
18 |
2004 |
|
I Wonder Who My Biographer Will Be? |
Keith Cavers |
20 |
2006 |
|
Marlborough Revisited |
Keith Cavers |
23 |
2009 |
|
Mixed on the Hearthrug (Cambridge) |
Keith Cavers |
24 |
2010 |
|
Mr E. F. Benson; The Religious Teaching of some Modern Novelists V |
Marjorie Royce |
26 |
2012 |
|
Music and E. F. Benson |
Bridget Falconer-Salkeld |
37 |
2023 |
|
The Old & the New: 1896 |
Raymond Blathwayt |
B1 |
1992 |
|
Plain Tales from the Quad |
Keith Cavers |
2 |
1987 |
|
The Prolific Novelist part 1 |
Allan Downend |
1 |
1986 |
|
The Prolific Novelist part 2 |
Allan Downend |
2 |
1987 |
|
The Prolific Novelist part 3: Mapp & Lucia |
Allan Downend |
4 |
1988 |
|
Twitcher Fred |
Allan Downend |
21 |
2007 |
|
Was That My Life? (EFB Obituaries) |
Allan Downend |
20 |
2006 |
|
‘We Were Amused’ (memories of EFB) |
Rachel Ferguson |
13 |
1999 |
E. F. Benson – Parents and Family Matters
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Ada Benson |
Dr. Ruth Pryor |
18 |
2004 |
|
Another View of Mary Benson |
Rev. Harry Matthews |
10 |
1995 |
|
The Bensons |
Rev. Harry Matthews |
25 |
2011 |
|
The Bensons – a Minidrama |
Gwen Watkins |
38 |
2024 |
|
Bensons, Sigdwicks and Jacksons |
Gwen Watkins |
13 |
1999 |
|
Carols at King’s |
Keith Cavers |
33 |
2019 |
|
E. F. Benson’s Parents |
Gwen Watkins & Dr. Ruth Pryor |
1 |
1986 |
|
Edward White Benson at Lincoln |
Canon Rex Davis |
28 |
2014 |
|
Elizabeth Cooper: An Utterably Beautiful |
Gwen Watkins |
16 |
2002 |
|
The Funeral of Archbishop Benson |
(from the Illustrated London News) |
39 |
2025 |
|
In Memoriam: Benson Family Graves |
Sheila Condon |
22 |
2008 |
|
Introduction to the Bensons |
Iain Jessup |
1 |
1986 |
|
Marriage Lines, Edward & Minnie’s contract |
Nicolas Cressey |
39 |
2025 |
|
Mary, Mary, Give Me Your AnswerDo |
Keith Cavers |
34 |
2020 |
|
Mary Benson & Lucy Tait |
Gwen Watkins |
10 |
1995 |
|
The Old Family Nurse (Beth) |
A. C. Benson |
8 |
1993 |
|
The Turns of the Screw (E. Esdaile) |
Allan Downend |
17 |
2003 |
E. F. Benson Siblings
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Eleanor & Maggie Benson |
Dr. Ruth Pryor |
4 |
1988 |
|
Lord of the World by Hugh Benson |
Gwen Watkins |
16 |
2002 |
|
Martin of Martins |
Sheila Condon |
20 |
2006 |
|
Martin White Benson |
Keith Cavers |
33 |
2019 |
|
The Master & the Mountaineer |
Peter & Leni Gillman |
19 |
2005 |
|
Robert Hugh Benson |
Gwen Watkins |
9 |
1994 |
|
The Two Brothers ACB & EFB |
Dr. David Newsome |
2 |
1987 |
|
Was Arthur Benson a Jingoist? |
David Bury |
17 |
2003 |
E. F. Benson – Lovers and Friends
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
E. F. Benson’s Eminent Friends |
Gwen Watkins |
15 |
2001 |
|
E. F. Benson’s Wilde Side |
Jonathan Fryer |
18 |
2004 |
|
Eustace Miles: A Dodo Special |
Geoffrey Palmer |
6 |
1990 |
|
Fred and Friendship |
Allan Downend |
7 |
1991 |
|
“Healthward Ho” Eustace Miles |
Richard Dalby |
2 |
1987 |
|
M. R. James and E. F. Benson |
Keith Cavers |
5 |
1989 |
|
Margot Asquith |
Simon Parker |
8 |
1993 |
|
Mary Bramston (childhood) |
Richard Dalby |
4 |
1988 |
|
Queen of the Lending Libraries Marie Corelli |
Simon Parker |
7 |
1991 |
|
Remembering Charlie (Tomlin) |
Aubrey Woods |
3 |
1988 |
|
The Secret Lives of Satan (Marie Corelli) |
Seana Lanigan |
33 |
2019 |
|
Some Remarks on Ghost Stories |
M.R. James |
5 |
1989 |
|
“The Sphinx” and Lucia: Ada Leverson |
Dr Julie Speedie |
2 |
1987 |
High Society
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
E. F. Benson and the “Gorgeous Bohemian Godmother” (Lady de Grey) |
Dr Martin Spies |
31 |
2017 |
|
E. F. Benson and Lady Maud Warrander |
Robin Gibson |
15 |
2001 |
|
E. F. Benson, Champagne Socialite and Socialist? Gadfly, or Mayfly? |
Ian Burch |
39 |
2025 |
|
E. F. Benson displays Lucia’s Skills: Queen Mary’s visit to Rye, 11th March 1935 |
Allan Downend |
35 |
2021 |
|
Fred’s Parody of the May Queen & Dolls Won’t Do in a Dolls House |
Sarah Webb |
35 |
2021 |
|
‘Gossip will have it’: Princess Marie Louise and a Knight Errant |
Sarah Webb |
35 |
2021 |
|
Interview with Lady C. Beresford |
Raymond Blathwayt |
15 |
2001 |
|
Lady Charles Beresford |
Allan Downend |
21 |
2007 |
|
Lady Charles Beresford: further insights |
Andrew Ellis |
16 |
2002 |
|
The Royal Connection |
Berit Pedersen |
11 |
1996 |
Benson’s “Originals”
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Cyril Flower, Lord Battersea, No.8 |
Allan Downend |
32 |
2018 |
|
Francis Yeats Brown, No.6 |
Allan Downend |
30 |
2016 |
|
George Plank, No.2 |
Allan Downend |
24 |
2010 |
|
‘Hermione’, No.9 |
Keith Cavers |
38 |
2024 |
|
Howard Sturgis, No.1 |
Keith Cavers |
23 |
2009 |
|
Lady Charles Beresford & Lady Ripon (Lady de Grey), No.4 |
Allan Downend |
27 |
2013 |
|
Lady Maud Warrander, No.5 |
Allan Downend |
29 |
2015 |
|
Lady Radnor, No.3 |
Allan Downend |
26 |
2012 |
|
Regie Lister & Percy Jacomb Hood, No.7 |
Allan Downend |
31 |
2017 |
Works by E. F. Benson – Fiction
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
A Creed of Manners |
E. F. Benson |
B2 |
1993 |
|
The Barsham Letters |
E. F. Benson |
39 |
2025 |
|
The Letters of Anthony Noble |
E. F. Benson |
30 |
2016 |
|
Mrs Naseby’s Denial |
E. F. Benson |
B2 |
1993 |
|
The Return of the Probationer (illustrated by Ray Potter) |
E. F. Benson |
36 |
2022 |
|
The Snow Stone |
E. F. Benson |
B2 |
1993 |
|
The Terrace |
E. F. Benson |
38 |
2024 |
|
The Two Sisters |
E. F. Benson |
28 |
2014 |
|
The Tyranny of Mrs. X |
E. F. Benson |
38 |
2024 |
|
Who was Lady Parker? |
E. F. Benson |
18 |
2004 |
|
A Woman’s Ambition |
E. F. Benson |
B2 |
1993 |
|
Young Marling |
E. F. Benson |
34 |
2020 |
Works by E. F. Benson – Non-Fiction
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Abroad thoughts from Home (poem) |
E. F. Benson |
27 |
2013 |
|
Acceptance Speech – Freedom of Rye |
E. F. Benson |
22 |
2008 |
|
The Athletic Ideal |
E. F. Benson |
37 |
2023 |
|
The Brontes (1936) |
E. F. Benson |
B3 |
2000 |
|
Country House Parties |
E. F. Benson |
B1 |
1992 |
|
E. F. Benson and Cookery (the recipes) |
E. F. Benson |
16 |
2001 |
|
E.F.Benson the songwriter |
E. F. Benson |
32 |
2018 |
|
The Earthquakes at Atalante |
E. F. Benson |
8 |
1993 |
|
Flycatcher Sunday |
E. F. Benson |
26 |
2012 |
|
Frank Harris & Arnold Bennett (1937) |
E. F. Benson |
B3 |
2000 |
|
The Future of the Novel |
E. F. Benson |
24 |
2010 |
|
George Moore (1933) |
E. F. Benson |
B3 |
2000 |
|
Governments Who Dig Their Own Graves |
E. F. Benson |
37 |
2023 |
|
The Horns of Elfland (Swinburne) (1928) |
E. F. Benson |
B3 |
2000 |
|
The House Party; A Day Among The Blind Babies |
E. F. Benson |
37 |
2023 |
|
The Inventive Nineties |
E. F. Benson |
8 |
1993 |
|
Is Sentiment a Back-Number? |
E. F. Benson |
28 |
2014 |
|
La Jeunesse de Swinburne par Georges Lafouade |
E. F. Benson |
B3 |
2000 |
|
Lambeth Palace |
E. F. Benson |
11 |
1996 |
|
Letters from EFB |
E. F. Benson |
27 |
2013 |
|
Liberty of Law |
E. F. Benson |
37 |
2023 |
|
Magic: Black and White (essays 1933/4) |
E. F. Benson |
16 |
2002 |
|
A Midsummer Dream |
E. F. Benson |
37 |
2023 |
|
Mugs!: A letter to the Sussex Agricultural Express |
E. F. Benson |
35 |
2021 |
|
Nicholas Nickleby (int. to Waverly Edition, 1912) |
E. F. Benson |
B3 |
2000 |
|
Our Hard Working Royal Family |
E. F. Benson |
36 |
2022 |
|
A Page from the Diary of a Lotus-Eater, 1896 |
E. F. Benson |
B1 |
1992 |
|
Reply to the Toast of Literature |
E. F. Benson |
27 |
2013 |
|
The Technique of the Ghost Story |
E. F. Benson |
5 |
1989 |
|
Ten Days in the Peloponnese, 1894 |
E. F. Benson |
B1 |
1992 |
|
A Veiled Counsellor: Journals and Letters of Viscount Esher Vol II (1934) |
E. F. Benson |
B3 |
2000 |
|
Venice – EFB Poems |
E. F. Benson |
25 |
2011 |
|
The Way Out |
E. F. Benson |
39 |
2025 |
|
Wengen in Winter |
E. F. Benson |
13 |
1999 |
E. F. Benson Books – Part 1: Mapp & Lucia
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Another Look at Lucia |
Charles E Gould Jr. |
25 |
2011 |
|
Fairy Tales (Tale Bearers 1980) Mapp & Lucia |
V. S. Pritchett |
14 |
2000 |
|
Elizabeth Mapp and Emmeline Lucas: Bright Young Things? |
Allan Downend |
36 |
2022 |
|
Elizabeth Mapp and Emmeline Lucas: Bright Young Things? – Editor’s Response |
Keith Cavers |
36 |
2022 |
|
Isabel/Lucia: a Poem |
Marjorie Mir |
32 |
2018 |
|
Mapp & Lucia |
Father David Reynish |
28 |
2014 |
|
Mapp & Lucia: Dressings and Dressings |
Nicolas Cressey |
36 |
2022 |
|
Mapp & Lucia: Productions |
Nicholas Worth |
18 |
2004 |
|
Mapp & Lucia: A Source for Olga’s “Romps”? |
(from the Illustrated London News) |
39 |
2025 |
|
Mr Benson and Aunty Beeb, or Mapp and Lucia take to the Airwaves |
Aubrey Woods |
4 |
1988 |
|
Mourning Becomes Lucia |
Gail-Nina Anderson |
3 |
1988 |
|
Lucia and Her Royce |
Allan Dowenend |
35 |
2021 |
|
Rye Humour (Gardens in Fiction) (Printed with permission fromHortus) |
John Francis |
3 |
1988 |
|
Three Boos for Mapp & Lucia |
Gwen Watkins |
3 |
1988 |
E. F. Benson Books – Part 2: The Supernatural
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Benson’s Spook Stories |
Richard Dalby |
1 |
1986 |
|
The Benson X Files: A Dodo Special |
Gwen Watkins |
12 |
1997 |
|
David Blaize and the Flame Cats |
Ian Smalley |
39 |
2025 |
|
EFB & the Clonmel Witch Burning |
Richard Dalby |
5 |
1989 |
|
EFB’s Ghost Stories |
Gail-Nina Anderson |
5 |
1989 |
|
The Ghost Stories of E. F. Benson |
John Birchall |
28 |
2014 |
E. F. Benson Books – Part 3: Everything Else!
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Bensoniana (bits and pieces) |
Gwen Watkins |
4 |
1988 |
|
Bibliographical notes |
Bill Taylor |
3 |
1988 |
|
Bibliography |
Bill Taylor |
1 |
1986 |
|
BOBO (skit on Dodo from Punch) |
Anon |
8 |
1993 |
|
E. F. Benson on His Own Work |
Gwen Watkins |
20 |
2006 |
|
“An Odd Sort of Angel” (Georgies) |
Keith Cavers |
31 |
2017 |
Reading Benson’s Books
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Discovering Benson’s Books |
Robin Gibson |
17 |
2003 |
|
EFB Stateside |
Roger Collier |
30 |
2016 |
|
E.F.Benson, Mapp and Lucia and Me |
Allan Downend |
33 |
2019 |
|
Fred and Food |
Gwen Watkins |
30 |
2016 |
|
Ravensbrood |
Robin Gibson |
22 |
2008 |
|
Two Early Benson Novels (Mammon & Co & Scarlett & Hyssop) |
Robin Gibson |
19 |
2005 |
|
Two Reviews (Countess of Lowndes Square & Queen Lucia) |
Katherine Mansfield |
23 |
2009 |
Benson Properties & Benson Places
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Addington |
A. C. Benson |
9 |
1994 |
|
Benson in East Anglia |
Robin Gibson |
14 |
2000 |
|
E. F. Benson in Winchester |
Roger Collier |
32 |
2018 |
|
Health and Strength in Winchester |
Keith Cavers |
33 |
2019 |
|
In Search of Riseholme |
Allan Downend |
35 |
2021 |
|
Mr Benson “At Home” |
“Damaris” |
38 |
2024 |
|
Paying Guests Today (Droitwich) |
Bruce Young |
28 |
2014 |
|
Smuggling activity and Pleistocene geology in Rye |
Ian Smalley |
39 |
2025 |
|
A Stroll through EFB’s Chelsea &Kensington |
Nick Cressey |
21 |
2007 |
|
A Wander Around Brompton Square |
Keith Cavers |
38 |
2024 |
|
Woad: Celebrities in Undress: VI, E. F. Benson (Brompton Square) |
Beverley Nichols |
38 |
2024 |
Rye
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
The Benson Brothers in Rye |
Gwen Watkins |
15 |
2001 |
|
Dormy House Club (Rye) |
Joyce Hargreaves |
24 |
2010 |
|
E. F. Benson & Rye |
Lilly Titman |
19 |
2005 |
|
On First Walking in Benson’s Tilling |
Peter Bryan |
17 |
2003 |
|
St Mary’s Rye: The Benson West Window |
Allan Downend |
25 |
2011 |
Lamb House
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
A. C. Benson’s Lamb House |
Keith Cavers |
4 |
1988 |
|
Lamb House |
A. C. Benson |
4 |
1988 |
|
Lamb House – An Introduction |
Allan Downend |
23 |
2009 |
|
The Lamb House Sale – 1949 |
Allan Downend |
18 |
2004 |
|
The Secret Garden |
Wendy Howard |
2 |
1987 |
The E. F. Benson Society and Society Events
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Bodleian Library Visit |
Lorna Challand |
24 |
2010 |
|
David Newsome 1929-2004 (FounderVice President) |
Gwen Watkins |
19 |
2005 |
|
E.F. Benson’s 50th |
Eileen Hazell |
7 |
1991 |
|
An Evening with Armistead Maupin |
Nicolas Cressey |
32 |
2018 |
|
Former President’s Retirement Speech |
Gwen Watkins |
28 |
2014 |
|
On Location in Rye |
Jean Meir |
1 |
1986 |
|
An Outing to Marlborough |
Elizabeth Gundrey |
1 |
1986 |
|
Presidential Address, Silver JubileeDinner 2010 |
Gwen Watkins |
25 |
2011 |
|
The 631st Meeting of the Chit-Chat Club |
Keith Cavers |
25 |
2011 |
|
Royalties |
Aubrey Woods |
7 |
1991 |
|
Sketches for Marlborough |
Keith Cavers & Allan Downend |
1 |
1986 |
|
Visit to Wellington College |
Eileen Hazell |
4 |
1988 |
Original Works using E.F. Benson’s Characters
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Angels Dining |
Nicolas Cressey |
32 |
2018 |
|
As Queer as Tilling |
Veronica Weill |
17 |
2003 |
|
The Dinner Party |
Cynthia Loudon |
25 |
2011 |
|
Diplomatic Incident |
Tom Holt |
27 |
2013 |
|
First Blood |
Veronica Weill |
TT |
1992 |
|
The Flints of Tilling |
Rachel Ferguson |
13 |
1999 |
|
The Garden of Eden |
Veronica Weill |
24 |
2010 |
|
Great Minds |
Tom Holt |
22 |
2008 |
|
Humble Soup |
Tom Holt |
29 |
2015 |
|
In The Beginning |
Linda Lee |
TT |
1992 |
|
Lady Ambermere’s Lover |
Veronica Weill |
18 |
2004 |
|
Lucia Povera |
Veronica Weill |
25 |
2011 |
|
Mapp-Flint: an Odyssey |
Nicolas Cressey |
34 |
2020 |
|
Mapp Hall |
Simon Parker |
TT |
1992 |
|
Mirror Mirror: A Cambridge Blue Story |
Veronica Weill |
32 |
2018 |
|
Mrs. Poppit Changes Trains |
Veronica Weill |
21 |
2007 |
|
Mrs Poppit Replies |
Hermione Gascoigne De’Ath |
28 |
2014 |
|
Natal Manoeuvres |
Jim Devlin |
TT |
1992 |
|
Nearer My God to Thee |
Martin Wixted |
10 |
1995 |
|
A Night at the Opera |
Nicolas Cressey |
31 |
2017 |
|
The Revenge of the Dodo |
Edward Memory |
26 |
2012 |
|
“Shall we go through” or Luncheon at the Deanery |
Philip Need |
25 |
2011 |
|
Silent Laughter |
Edward Memory |
25 |
2011 |
|
Sing a Song of Sixpence |
Veronica Weill |
20 |
2006 |
|
A Tilling Cinderella |
Hermione Gascoigne De’Ath |
21 |
2007 |
|
Tilling Down Under |
Iris Grover |
TT |
1992 |
|
Tilling Treasures |
Cecilia Duarte |
26 |
2012 |
|
Treasure Trove |
Veronica Weill |
9 |
1994 |
|
Vaguely Familiar |
N.C. de Greswold |
27 |
2013 |
|
What a Delightful Idea |
Alan Turner |
31 |
2017 |
|
What Happened to the Misses Pillson |
Nicholas Worth |
15 |
2001 |
|
Where There’s a Will |
Veronica Weill |
19 |
2005 |
Miscellanea Musica
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Elgar’s Songs with words by EFB debate |
Carl Newton |
16 |
2002 |
|
The Rye Camarilla – Ted (Elgar), Fred, Arthur & Maud (Warrander) |
Carl Newton |
19 |
2005 |
Reviews and literary perspective
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Deadlier than the Dodo: Queen Lucia |
Katherine Mansfield |
34 |
2020 |
|
E.F. Benson and I: A German perspective |
Briggita Hugel |
25 |
2011 |
|
E. F. Benson on his own Work |
Gwen Watkins |
25 |
2011 |
|
Henry James at Home, H. Montgomery Hyde (review) |
Robin Gibson |
16 |
2002 |
|
A Little More Queen Lucia |
‘Pandora’ |
35 |
2021 |
|
Miss Mapp in the Press |
(reviews and press comments) |
36 |
2022 |
|
Polite Satire at its Best: Queen Lucia |
James L.Ford |
34 |
2020 |
|
Punch: review of Queen Lucia |
anon |
34 |
2020 |
|
Review: A Tale of an Empty House |
Richard Dalby |
2 |
1987 |
|
A Very Queer Family Indeed, Simon Goldhill (review) |
Gwen Watkins & Allan Downend |
31 |
2017 |
|
Viva Voce: audio readings of E.F. Benson (review) |
Veronica Weill |
34 |
2020 |
Illustrations
| Title | Author | Volume | Year |
|
Lamb House and Garden Room |
Marian E. G. Bradley |
36 |
2022 |
|
Louisa Fairbrother as Little John |
G E Madeley, after Thomas Harrington Wilson |
36 |
2022 |
