Martin Benson (1879–1972) was the co-founder of Douglas Stewart, one of the largest bookmakers in London, and also the owner of Beech House Stud, a Thoroughbred racehorse breeding farm located on Cheveley Road near Newmarket, Suffolk.
During the proceedings, Benson claimed a ten-year residence In Rhode Island although he appears in the Street Directories for Epsom, London from 1915 to 1922 at Highfield, Burgh Heath Road under his alias 'Douglas Stuart'.
In 1949 The New York Times published an article in which Benson, described as "One of London's biggest bookmakers", tips Winston Churchill as a 6-to-4 favourite to be the next prime minister of Britain.
[5] In a lamentation of the ills of the age Orwell writes:- "And the commissar is telling my fortune While the radio plays, But the priest has promised an Austin Seven, For Duggie always pays.
"[6] Benson was also mentioned in a Great War Diary of a lance corporal in the Public Schools' Brigade: - "We soon moved to Epsom where I and two privates were billeted on Duggie Stuart, the bookie; I forget his real name.