Celebrating Hampshire Historians

Bennett, Arthur Charles

22 March 1868 – 14 August 1947

Arthur Bennett was born in Bridge Street, Andover, son of music teacher and church organist William Bennett (1822–1901) who founded a music school there in his early twenties.  Arthur, his brother George and sisters, Agatha and Agnes, were all musically gifted and made their living as teachers and performers at various levels.

Arthur was schooled privately and as a chorister at Winchester. He became a violinist and organist playing in local churches including Upper Clatford, Barton Stacey, Wonston, Whitchurch and Old Basing as well as St Mary’s, Andover, where he followed in his father’s footsteps. 

Bennett organised ‘very popular’ morning concerts in Andover guildhall. He also composed a small number of pieces of his own, his most famous being ‘The fountaines smoake’, in 1902, when he collaborated with lyricist Robert Jones. His brother George John Bennett (1863–1930) was also a successful composer and held the post of organist at Lincoln Cathedral from 1895 onwards.

In 1901, inspired by the Andover incumbent, Revd Christopher Collier, Arthur Bennett contributed an article ‘The History of Music at Andover’ to a local newspaper the Andover Advertiser, following it with ‘The Story of St Mary’s Church, Andover’, which was later expanded into a guidebook.  Subsequent articles included ‘Notes on the History of St John’s House and The Spittle at Andover’ and ‘Mutations of a House’, which traced the fortunes of the old Bell Inn in Andover High street, later turned into shops.  Other subjects covered were the Poor Law, the plague, prisoners of war and refugees.

Bennett was a great friend of Edmund Parsons (1872-1951) who was also a regular contributor of history articles to the Advertiser.  In 1920, Bennett and Parsons combined in order to produce A History of Andover Grammar School.  They also planned to compile a complete history of Andover, but this project never came to fruition. 

At the time of his death Arthur Bennett was living in what had formerly been the headmaster’s house attached to the old Grammar School and is now (2024) the Andover Museum.

Sources

• Isherwood J (2015) Andover’s Historians Past & Present Lookback at Andover, Vol 3 No 6.

• Tony Raper

• HRO 60M67

• Andover Advertiser, August 1947

• Hampshire Chronicle, 13 December 1952 p.5.

Portrait

None known, but family grave in St Mary’s churchyard is depicted.

Contribution to county’s history

Bennett’s obituary stated that he ‘did more than anyone else to interest people in the history of their town’.

Relevant published works

• Bennett A C (1901) The History of Music at Andover

• Bennett A C (1916) Mutations of a House

• Bennett A C (1921) Notes on St John’s House and The Spittle at Andover

• Bennett A C (1921/22) Poor Law Administration in Andover and Whitchurch

• Bennett A C (n d) The Story of St Mary’s Church, Andover

• Bennett A C (n d) Things Passed Away

• Bennett A & Parsons E (1920) A history of the Free School of Andover, latterly called the Andover Grammar School

Critical Comments

Other Comments

Contributor

Dave Allen, Tony Raper - May 2024

Key Words

Andover, St Mary's Church, history of Andover

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