Benson, E. Dorothy

Persona

Benson, E. Dorothy

1901-1996

Born in 1901, E. Dorothy Benson, a member of the family that owned the St. Lawrenece Starch Company, was educated at "The Study" in Montreal, where she was Head Girl. A Canadian champion figure skater, at the outbreak of the Second World War, she joined the 'Wrens' -- the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service -- and saw active duty. Following her honourable discharged, she pursued her photographic hobby by studying for a year at the Vermont School of Photography. Prior to coming to Kingston, Ontario, in the early 1970's, she was a member of the Montreal Camera Club and later joined the prestigious Toronto Guild of Photography. Dorothy Benson, who would photograph anything and everything, "ships, churches, people, ice skaters, birds that lit on her balcony railing, close ups of flower and table arrangements ... you name it!", travelled widely throughout North America, with Algonquin Park being a favored destination. A print maker, as well as a nature photographer par excellence, she competed both nationally and internationally, winning many awards along the way. After her arrival in Kingston, she joined the Kingston Photographic Club, and devoted much time to helping other members improve their own techniques, both personally and through her regular column in the Club's newsletter 'Camera Capers'. She was also very skilled at preparing and presenting phtoto essays. A Girl Guide Leader, Ms. Benson would take her troop, along with her favourite cameras, up the Rideau waterway each summer for a two-week camping trip. She was also an avid fisherman, who spent many summers in among the Thousand Islands. E. Dorothy Benson died, age 91, at Kingston, Ontario, in April 1996.

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