City Readers Digital Historic Collections at the New York Society Library

Robert Benson, a brewer, landowner, and public official, was born in 1739 in New York. He inherited his father's brewery, and worked as a brewer until he sold the property ("Guide"). During the American Revolution, he and his brothers, including Library member Egbert Benson, joined the Sons of Liberty and were active patriots ("Guide"). He was an aide-de-camp to Governor George Clinton, and secretary of the Provincial Congress in 1775 and of the first Committee of Safety (Hough 365). He was also secretary of the New York State Senate and of the New York Common Council (Riker 483).

Benson's parents were Robert Benson, a brewer, and Catherine Van Borsum ("Guide"). He married Dinah Cowenhoven; they had eight children (Talcott 17-18).

Following the American Revolution, Benson owned and rented out land in several parts of Brooklyn, including in the farming community of New Utrecht, which includes the present day neighborhood of Bensonhurst that bears Benson's family name ("Guide").

Benson died in 1833.