William Rutherford Benn

The father of the actress Margaret Rutherford. William was born in the east end of London as part of the famous Benn family in 1855. He spoke several languages and was an accomplished poet and worked as a journalist. He married Florence Nicholson on the 16th December 1882 in Wandsworth and settled down to married life. A few weeks later he fell ill with depression and was removed to a lunatic asylum. His health improved a few weeks later and his father the Rev Julius Benn decided "a rest in the country would be beneficial". They travelled to Matlock in Derbyshire and enjoyed a few days sight seeing around the town. On the 4th March 1883 William was found by the landlord to have smashed a chamber pot over his fathers head, killing him and scattering his brains before attempting to cut his own throat. He was arrested and charged with the murder and transferred to Broadmoor where he served his punishment. He was released into the care of his wife Florence in July 1890. Happiness finally came to William and Florence on the 11 May 1892 with the birth of their daughter Margaret Taylor Rutherford. Shortly after he took his family to Madras in India to live but things turned out sad for the family. Florence found herself pregnant again but happiness soon turned to sadness when she began to suffer the signs of a mental breakdown. William recognising the signs brought the family back to England and settled in Wimbledon. His wife's illness became more obvious and she died in 1896 of a nervous exhausted brought on by a weak heart. Margaret was left in the care of her Aunt and William after travelling back to India and the onto Paris suffered a breakdown and was returned to Broadmoor. He spent the rest of his life in care and finally was moved to the City of London asylum in Dartford a few months before his death in August 1921. He lies here reunited with his wife Florence.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 11 2018, 19:37:17 UTC