William Benson / W.A.S. Benson & Co.
British, 1854 - 1924
William Arthur Smith Benson (1854–1924) was a pioneering British designer celebrated for his refined metalwork and influential lighting designs during the Arts and Crafts Movement. Trained in classics at Oxford but drawn to making, Benson combined traditional craftsmanship with industrial innovation to elevate everyday objects into works of art.
In 1880, he founded W.A.S. Benson & Co, originally producing metal furnishings for Morris & Co. His workshop quickly became known for its elegant copper and brass wares—fire screens, fenders, tableware, and notably, electric light fittings that reflected the emerging potential of electricity in the home. Benson’s designs balanced beauty with function, and his commitment to quality made his company a leader in decorative lighting.
He supplied pieces to prominent Arts & Crafts interiors, including Standen and St. Paul’s Cathedral, and collaborated with designers such as William Morris and J.S. Henry. His furniture, often marked by clean lines and restrained ornament, echoed the movement’s emphasis on honesty of materials and craftsmanship. Today, Benson’s works are held in museum collections worldwide and are seen as some of the finest examples of British decorative design from the period.
