Benson, Frank (Francis) Robert (1858–1939)

English actor and theatre manager. He played in Henry Irving's production of Romeo and Juliet at the Lyceum in London in 1882, and in 1883 acquired a Shakespeare repertory company, which he managed until his death. He played about 100 parts, the majority from Shakespeare. He was also responsible for many of the Shakespeare festivals at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. He was knighted in 1916.