Arthur Fleming Benson

              Figure

ARTHUR FLEMING BENSON
of
Minneapolis Public Schools
Address Communications in care of
International Lyceum Association
611–612 STEINWAY HALL
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

CHAUTAUQUAS TEACHERS' INSTITUTES



Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1908.

SUPT. ALVIN N. CODY, Supt. Flint Public Schools, Flint, Mich.

My Dear Prof. Cody:  Your inquiry of Sept. 16th concerning Prof. A. F. Benson, Principal, in Minneapolis Public Schools, affords me an opportunity for which I am very grateful.  You ask me to tell something of the success of Prof. Benson as a Chautauqua Lecturer.  I take it that you prefer to know something of how he attained the success — as well as about the success; also of the educational, moral, and commercial value of the man and his message to the community that honors him with an invitation to address its people.

Most answers to such inquiries contain formal, superlative praise.  You will pardon me if I do not follow precedent in that respect, but rather attempt to make the reply to your inquiry informational.

In searching for men for the Round Table Work and the morning lecture features, the Managers of the Redpath Chautauqua System which operated 94 Chautauquas this season, selected from a large list of applicants nine men.  At the close of the season Prof. Benson was at the head of the list from the standpoint: First — Of drawing crowds that increased in size each day.  Second — Requests for return engagements, which is the final test of all Chautauqua attractions.

It was my privilege to appear once each week at the assemblies where he was stationed, and from newspaper reports which I Lave read; from the lectures I have heard him give; from the comment made by all the other attractions with the system; and from the universal opinon of the people everywhere, it is conservative to say he made the hit of the season as an Institute and Round Table lecturer.  His lectures are well prepared; they are well delivered; the man knows what he is talking about, and he makes his hearers feel as he feels.  He convinces because he has facts and experience, and ideas that are unique.  He does not theorize; he gives deductions from theories that have been applied and proven a success.

If I were managing a Chautauqua or a Teacher's Institute, I would select from the large list of attractions this attraction for one number of my program.

The things that impress you most about Mr. Benson are: First — The man Benson.  He has the impressive and commanding magnetism and dignity of the clean, wholesome, cultured gentleman.  Second — The intellectuality; the scholarship manifested in his work, in his conversation and everything that he does or says.  Third — The moral and Christian refinement; the inherent, natural culture of his personality.

His lectures are not alone for professional people; they are for all the people.  There were farmers, mechanics and business men in his audience, whom I heard say as they left the tent, that lecture was one of the finest we have had on our Chautauqua.

He is a leader in educational ideas and thought, — not a follower.  The methods he employs in his school in Minneapolis not only make students of his pupils, — they make citizens.  He is training his boys and girls for citizenship as well as scholarship.  He is helping to solve some of the problems that confront the Juvenile and Criminal Court in every municipality.

I have talked with him on all phases of educational, sociological and economic thought.  In my intimate association with him for ten weeks, I had opportunity to witness a test of all his powers as an educational lecturer, and it is moderate to say that you will not be able to secure a more delightful gentleman or a more useful attraction for your Chautauqua or Institute program.  This is not my opinion alone; it is a brief statement of the combined opinions of the several thousand people who have heard him this summer; of the newspapers that reported his work; of the platform managers, and of the gentlemen who are back of the Redpath Chautauqua System.

If there is anything more you wish to know about Prof. Benson and his work, I will be glad to answer any questions you wish to ask.  Thanking you for your letter, and wishing you success with your assembly, I beg to remain,

Very cordially yours,
THOS. BROOKS FLETCHER.

Suite 18, The Quimby's,
Quimby Avenue,
Cleveland, Ohio.




TESTIMONIALS
If history were as full of educators as it is of heroes, history itself would be better written.  And among educators there is a blemish — the fact that they are not always notable as men.  But A. F. Benson, whom I have studied with care and with profit, is notable as a man, — a gentleman such as we find portrayed by nature when she herself is in a gracious mood — refined, strong, cultivated; a teacher with an inspiring grasp; a scholar, an example of gentleness and Anglo-Saxon force.

OPIE READ.

His field is fertile and his treatment broad.  I was enthusiastically delighted.  Prof. Benson is scholar, educator and lecturer.  The audience always greets him with pleasure and leaves him with regret.

JAMES S. MONTGOMERY, Pastor Fowler Methodist Church, Minneapolis.

Mr. A. F. Benson, of Minneapolis, was one of the most successful lecturers of the Redpath Chautauqua System during the summer of 1908.  His place on the morning program made him succeed solely on merit, and it was the invariable rule that his morning crowds grew daily, and his morning educational work came to be counted one of the really meritorious features of the week's program.  I heard of no one in the Chautauqua work so generally and enthusiastically commended.

W. G. HARDING, Ex. Lieut, Gov. of Ohio.

Mr. A. F. Benson is a progressive educator with strong convictions concerning present day educational problems.  His strength of personality and address, together with facts presented, have won for him an enviable reputation as a Chautauqua and Institute worker.  He convinces his audience because he feels what he says.

CHAS. M. JORDAN, Supt. of Schools, Minneapolis.

I was associated during the past summer with Prof. A. F. Benson in Chautauqua work and heard with joy and profit his series of lectures.  In content and purpose his work is worthy of all praise, while his method leaves little to be desired.  To use the terms of the day — he made good.

THOS. E. GREEN.

I have known Mr. A. F. Benson of the Minneapolis schools for a number of years, and take great pleasure in commending him as a gentleman and an educator of high rank.  His intensive study of the problems of the school and the home, and his successful and varied experience in school supervision, coupled with a strong personality and rare platform ability, give him exceptional power as an instructor and lecturer on educational topics.  His message should be heard by all teachers and parents.

S. L. HEETER, Supt. of Schools, St. Paul.


Prof. A. F. Benson, who is giving the round table talks in the morning at the Chautauqua, is one of the best attractions of the course.  There are people who are missing one of the finest series of talks on practical education that can be heard on the platform to-day.—
Ottumwa (Ia.) Courier.


Mr. Benson's talks became more popular each day and were listened to by large audiences.  He is a man who thoroughly believes in what he talks about, and best of all he practices what he preaches.—
Macon (Mo.) Times-Democrat.


The lectures by A. F. Benson are one of the most practical and best features of the Chautauqua.—
Cameron (Mo.) Daily News.


Prof. Benson is a thoroughly trained educator of broad culture and experience.—
Osceola (Ia.) Times.


All who heard Mr. Benson's lectures were loud in their praise.  The best thing of the Chautauqua was frequently heard.—
Osage (Ia.) News.


Prof. A. F. Benson, of Minneapolis, is a man of many talents and wide experience as an educator as well as a platform lecturer.  His subjects, in keeping with the educational feature of the Chautauqua, as brought out most prominently at the morning sessions, are along the lines of education from the popular standpoint and are making a great hit with the people who regard the Chautauqua as an educational as well as an amusement institution.—
Carrollton (Mo.) Republican-Record.


Saturday morning Dr. Shaffer introduced resolutions requesting the Redpath people to return Prof. Benson to us next year and if they know their business they will certainly do it.—
Osage (Ia.) News.


Prof. A. F. Benson, the morning lecturer, is a resident of Minneapolis, and a Canadian by birth.  The Redpath people say: Mr. Benson stands forth conspicuously as an educator, but not in this alone, for at every perspective he sees the ideals of the moralist.  By instinct he is a teacher.  His addresses are direct and altogether convincing.  He is familiar with every side of human life and by word and on contact always wins the admiration of his auditors.—
Carrollton (Mo.) Daily News.


Each morning during the week educational lectures were given by Prof. A. F. Benson, who is eminently successful as a teacher and meets with equal favor in his Institute and Chautauqua work.  The ethical side of the problem enters into his every discussion.—
Forest City (Ia.) Independent.


Prof. A. F. Benson gave a most excellent lecture on education each forenoon.  He is a practical school man.—
Audubon (Ia.) Advocate.


This morning Prof. Benson spoke on The Master Teacher of Nazareth.  For sound, good sense and helpful suggestions, Profi Benson's talks have not been excelled by any of the other programs.—
Cameron (Mo.) Daily Observer.


Prof. Benson brings to his platform work a wide experience and personal acquaintance with the method in vogue in the leading educational institutions.—
Cameron (Mo.) Daily News.


Prof. Benson's subject this morning was My Educational Creed.  He spoke with such impressive earnestness that at the end of the lecture everyone was on his feet to express their appreciation to Prof. Benson.—
Ottumwa (Ia.) Daily Courier.


A large part of the success of the Kent County Teachers' Institute is due to A. F. Benson of Minneapolis, who has given many helpful suggestions on geography and language.—
Grand Rapids (Mich.) Herald.

A. F. Benson of Minneapolis is capable, earnest, faithful, and enthusiastic.  His methods are up-to-date, practical, and very helpful.

A. R. ZIMMER, Supt. Kent County (Mich.) Schools.

A. F. Benson is a gentleman of strong personality; his methods are among the best; his ability to enthuse teachers is pronounced.

H. E. SLOCOM, Supt. Shiawassee County (Mich.) Schools.

Mr. A. F. Benson is earnest, enthusiastic, and scholarly.  I heartily endorse him as an Institute worker.

A. M. FREELAND, Supt. Kent County (Mich.) Schools.




Chautauqua Subjects

THE PHYSICAL FUNCTION OF EDUCATION
THE SOCIAL FUNCTION OF EDUCATION
THE MORAL FUNCTION OF EDUCATION
FADS AND FUNDAMENTALS
THE MASTER TEACHER OF NAZARETH
MY EDUCATIONAL CREED
THE NEW THREE R'S IN EDUCATION
EDUCATIONAL MISFITS
THE POET'S MESSAGE
THE THREE JOHNS

The above subjects are treated in a popular manner rather than a strictly professional.  Narrow conceptions of education finds no place in them.



Institute Subjects

GENERAL SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
THE BASIS OF PROMOTION
TALKS ON READING:
A series of six or eight talks on reading in the elementary school, discussing the aim and method of teaching, with practical illustrations.

TALKS ON LANGUAGE:
A series of six or eight talks on this important, yet often abused subject.  Material and methods presented.

TALKS ON GEOGRAPHY:
A series of four talks on the aim and the place of geography in elementary education.  The use and abuse of material is discussed.




Some Recent Chautauqua and Institute Appearances

Corunna, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
St. Cloud, Minnesota
West Liberty, Iowa
Burlington, Iowa
Osage, Iowa
Macon, Missouri
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Waverly, Iowa
Forest City, Iowa
Ottumwa, Iowa
Estherville, Iowa
Cameron, Missouri
Audubon, Iowa
Osceola, Iowa
Carrollton, Missouri

Hahn & Harmon Co., Minneapolis