E.F. Benson Books In Order

Publication Order of David Blaize Books

Publication Order of Dodo Trilogy Books

Publication Order of The Mapp & Lucia Novels Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

E. F. Benson was a wonderful English writer, archaeologist, short story writer, biographer, and memoirist. He was born as Edward Frederic Benson and was particularly famous for writing the Mapp and Lucia book series. Additionally, he has penned numerous standalone, several short story collections, a few nonfiction books, as well as some biographies, articles, and plays. Author Benson was born on July 24, 1940, at Wellington College, Berkshire. He was the 5th child of Edward White Benson, the headmaster of Wellington College, who later became a chancellor, Bishop, and finally Archbishop. His mother was Mary Sidgwick. Benson’s elder siblings included Arthur Christopher Benson, who was a popular writer himself; Margaret Benson, an amateur Egyptologist and author; and Robert Hugh Benson, a renowned writer of several Roman Catholic Apologetics and novels.

Two of his siblings died when they were young. The parents of author Benson had 6 children, but no grandchildren. Neither he nor any of his siblings produced any children. Benson completed his early education at Temple Grove School. Later, he joined Marlborough College for further studies. It was here that Benson became serious about writing and it is also the basis of one of his novels called David Blaize. Benson continued his studies by joining King’s College in Cambridge, where he became a Pitt Club member. Later in his life, he obtained an honorary fellowship at Magdalene College. During his time at Cambridge, Benson had come in contact with Vicent Yorke and fallen in love with him. He even wrote about him in his dairy and speculated that Vincent knew about his feelings for him.

The first published novel written by Benson is Sketches From Marlborough. However, he began his career with the controversial 1893 novel, Dodo. After its immense success, Benson came up with a few more romantic, satire, and supernatural stories. The Mapp and Lucia books were written by him quite late in his career. They comprise a total of six books and a couple of short stories. In 1983, BBC Radio 4 adapted the first four books of this series into a 12-part series called Trouble for Lucia and broadcast it across the country. In 2007, the company came up with another 10-part adaptation and broadcast. These two adaptations were carried out by Aubrey Woods and Ned Sherrin respectively. A 10-episode TV series was also made based on the last 3 books by Gerald Savory. Likewise, a few other TV and radio adaptations followed in the 1980s and early 2000s.

H.P. Lovecraft is a big fan of author Benson and has spoken highly of his works. Following the death of Benson, his Mapp and Lucia novels were continued by Guy Fraser-Sampson, Ian Shephard, and Tom Holt. Author Benson was believed to be a homosexual, but kept it intensely discreet. He had several romantic adventures with his fellow students at Cambridge, the most prominent one among them being with Vincent Yorke, father of Henry Yorke, the novelist. He had maintained friendships with many gay men in the later years of his life. Benson and John Ellingham Brooks lived in a villa for some time at Capri. Besides being an amazing novelist, Benson was also a good athlete. He represented his country in figure skating. The death of author Benson occurred on 29th February 1940 in London. He was suffering from throat cancer and took his last breath at London’s University College Hospital. Benson’s body now rests in the cemetery located at Rye, East Essex.

A successful novel series written by author E.F. Benson is known as the Mapp and Lucia series. It is comprised of seven books, released between 1920 and 1939. Every book of this series features the lead character in the form of Emmeline ‘Lucia’ Lucas. She lives in a small village called Riseholme in the United Kingdom. Other important characters mentioned in the novels by author Benson include Daisy Quantock, Georgie Pillson, Elizabeth Mapp, Captain Puffin, Major Benjy Flint, Diva Plaistow, etc. Author Benson has set the stories in the villages of Tilling and Riseholme and London, England. The debut book of this series is entitled ‘Queen Lucia’. It was first released in 1920 and then re-released by the Wildside Press in 2003.

This book opens by showing that Mrs. Lucas is a woman of class and taste. She commands Riseholme in almost all matters of importance. Georgie Pilson acts her right-hand man. He is a bachelor and is always seen giving company to Lucia. Georgie’s presence in Lucia’s house for long hours doesn’t bother her husband. With the help of Georgie, Lucia pretty much rules the village as its ‘Queen’. Later, Daisy Quantack’s Indian guru arrives in the village. This prompts Lucia to make sure that she utilizes the social currency of the guru in the village’s competitive world. She is quite particular about maintaining her status as the Riseholme’s Queen. Some of her subjects make occasional attempts to overthrow her. But, she always manages to not let them succeed in their plans. This humorous novel mocks class and status in many different ways. Benson has described his humor in an understated and subtle manner. The book surgically, lovingly captures the village life of England.

The second volume of this funny, humorous series is known as ‘Lucia in London’. It was originally published in 197 and re-published in 1999 by the Moyer Bell publication. This novel shows Emmeline Lucas aka Lucia taking up an extraordinary adventure in London. She looks to conquer her London-based new home and at the same time tries to keep her hold on Riseholme’s country mansions. When other villagers come to know about the desertation of Lucia for the city life, they become maddened and hurt. A few of them think of plotting revenge against her, but none of them seem to have the courage to stand against her. After inheriting the fashionable house in London’s Brompton Square, which belonged to her husband Peter’s deceased aunt, Lucia begins her mission to climb the ladder of status in the high profile society of London. To succeed in the mission, she incorporates a combination of smartness and intelligence. Lucia’s rising advances in London’s social circles causes the society to get divided into those who follow her and the ones who envy her.