Eugene Benson

Eugene Benson (July 6, 1928 – July 2026) was a Canadian professor of English and a prolific writer, novelist, playwright and librettist.

Early life Born in Northern Ireland, Benson obtained a bachelor's degree from the National University of Ireland, a master's degree from the University of Western Ontario and his PhD from the University of Toronto.

Career Benson was the librettist of six operatic works: Héloïse & Abélard (1973, performed by the Canadian Opera Company, music by Charles Wilson); Everyman (1974, performed by the Stratford Festival, music by Charles Wilson); Psycho Red (1978, presented by The Guelph Spring Festival, music by Charles Wilson); Ernest, the Importance of Being (2008, performed by Toronto Operetta Theatre, music by Victor Davies); The Auction: A Folk Opera (2012, premiered by Westben Arts Festival Theatre, music by John Burge); A Tale of Two Cities (2016, premiered by Opera in Concert, Toronto, music by Victor Davies). Everyman and Psycho Red were broadcast by the CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corporation).

Benson was president, administrative director and Budget Officer of the Guelph Spring Festival for many years, and was once Chair of the Writers' Union of Canada (1983–84). He was Founding co-president, with Margaret Atwood, of the Canadian Centre of International PEN (1984–85), and served as its vice-president (1985–90). He was President of PEN Canada in 1984.

Works Works edited The Oxford Companion to Canadian Literature, co-edited with William Toye (1983, 2nd ed. 2006) Earnest, The Importance of Being, with music by Victor Davies (2008) The Tuneful Voice: Selected Libretti, a compilation (2023)