[2] He first came to prominence as a follower of Swedenborg, and in 1895, he was the founding treasurer of the New Church Socialist Society, and editor of its journal, Uses.
[3] He also became active in the Independent Labour Party (ILP), and was the main financial backer of Keir Hardie's unsuccessful candidacy in the 1896 Bradford East by-election.
[1] In 1909, when Hardie, Ramsay MacDonald, Philip Snowden and Bruce Glasier resigned in protest at the membership's willingness to oppose sitting Liberal Party candidates, he remained on the executive, working with J. R. Clynes and William Crawford Anderson to win the body to Macdonald's views.
[5] He also wrote extensively for the party, including a controversial pamphlet promoting eugenics in a future socialist state.
[6] Benson remained treasurer for twenty years, opposing World War I, but suffering long-term ill health.