Henry Wetherby Benchley (February 20, 1822 - February 24, 1867) was an American politician. A state senator and the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, he helped found the Republican Party in the 1850s.
Benchley was allegedly jailed for helping run an Underground Railroad station, and died in Houston, Texas, shortly after founding a small township nearby, Benchley, Texas.
His grandson, Robert Benchley, was a famed humorist, and his great-grandson, Nathaniel Benchley, and great-great-grandson, Peter Benchley, were both noted authors.
Famous quotes containing the word benchley:
“But a dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down—very important traits in times like these. In fact, just as soon as a dog comes along who, in addition to these qualities, also knows when to buy and sell stocks, he can be moved right up to the boy’s bedroom and the boy can sleep in the dog house.”
—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)