Robert Benchley
Robert Benchley was an influential American humorist, newspaper columnist, actor, and editor, renowned for his wit and comedic essays during the 1920s. Born in Massachusetts in the late 1800s, he grew up in a middle-class environment and attended Harvard University, where he became involved in theater and served as editor of the Harvard Lampoon, though he did not complete his degree. After a brief stint in advertising, Benchley found his true calling in writing, contributing humorous articles to notable publications such as the New York Tribune, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker. He played a key role in the Algonquin Round Table, a gathering of prominent writers in New York City that thrived in the 1920s and 1930s. Benchley's comedic talents also led him to a successful acting career in Hollywood, where he appeared in various films and won an Academy Award. Although he achieved acclaim in both writing and acting, it is his prolific collection of humorous essays, particularly those published in The New Yorker, that solidified his legacy. Over the course of his career, he published around sixteen books, showcasing his unique blend of humor and insight into everyday life.
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Robert Benchley
- Born: September 15, 1889
- Birthplace: Worcester, Massachusetts
- Died: November 21, 1945
- Place of death: New York City, New York
Biography
Robert Benchley was an American newspaper columnist and humorist who reached the height of his popularity in the 1920’s. Benchley also was a noted actor, critic, and editor. Born and reared in Massachusetts in the late 1800’s, Benchley enjoyed a middle-class upbringing. He attended Harvard University but did not complete his degree. At Harvard, he became involved in theater and served as editor of the Harvard Lampoon. After leaving Harvard, Benchley found work in advertising. Unsatisfied with the field, he soon found work at the New York Tribune, Vanity Fair, and the New Yorker, where he provided humorous articles whose topics ranged from mock scientific studies to parodies to witty remarks about his own life.
Benchley formed the Algonquin Round Table, an informal club of brilliant writers who met every day at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City for lunch. The heyday of the Algonquin Round Table lasted well into the 1930’s. Benchley’s involvement with the Algonquin Round Table led to his stage debut in 1922. He moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1930’s to pursue a full-fledged acting career, and he starred in numerous short movies and feature films and earned an Academy Award for one of his roles. Despite his distinguished film career, it is for his prolific and humorous essays that Benchley is best remembered. Nearly seventy-five essays that he composed for the New Yorker were published in five separate volumes in the 1930’s. Writings drawn from other sources eventually led to the release of sixteen books.