Benge Family Genealogy & History

Alfreda Benge, known as Alfie, is an Austrian-born British lyricist and illustrator, renowned for her long-standing collaboration with musician Robert Wyatt. She has been a pivotal figure in Wyatt's career, contributing lyrics and artwork for his albums since 1974. Benge's artistic talents extend to album covers for artists like Annette Peacock and Fred Frith, as well as children's book illustrations. Her work in film includes assisting on Nicolas Roeg's "Don't Look Now." Benge's influence is noted by Wyatt's biographer as his most important collaborator, highlighting her roles as muse, manager, and lyricist.

Alfreda Benge was born in Austria in 1940 to a Polish mother. In 1947, she moved to the UK, where her stepfather, Ronald Benge, was a distinguished librarian who contributed to library education in developing nations.

Bob Benge, also known as Captain Benge, was a prominent Cherokee leader during the Cherokee–American wars (1783–1794). A notable figure in the Upper Towns, he participated in various raids and battles against European-American settlers, defending Cherokee territories in present-day Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and beyond. His exploits included saving Ustally from destruction in 1788 and negotiating during the Cavett's Station incident in 1793. Benge's legacy extends to his interactions with famed figures such as Tecumseh, contributing to his notoriety as a fierce and strategic warrior.

Born around 1762 in Toqua, Bob Benge was the son of a Cherokee woman and Scots-Irish trader John Benge. His red hair made him stand out among the Cherokee, into whose matrilineal kinship system he was born. The family moved to Running Water in 1777, where Benge grew into his role as a warrior alongside relatives like his cousin Tahlonteeskee and maternal uncle John Watts. Notably, Benge was a likely half-sibling of Sequoyah, further embedding him within a lineage of influential Cherokee figures.

George Frederick "Wilson" Benge was a prolific English actor born on 1 March 1875 who became a familiar face in Hollywood, especially noted for his roles in American films from the silent era. With a career spanning over three decades, Benge appeared in more than 200 films between 1922 and 1955. He was frequently typecast as a butler or valet, alongside peers like Charles Coleman and Robert Greig, making him one of the most recognizable manservants in 1930s and 1940s cinema. Benge also contributed to several Laurel and Hardy comedies, cementing his place in film history. His career continued robustly until his death on 1 July 1955.

Chris Benge, born on September 9, 1962, is a prominent American Republican politician from Oklahoma. Serving as the 33rd Oklahoma Secretary of State from 2013 to 2016 under Governor Mary Fallin, Benge's political career began in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where he was first elected in 1998. He became the Speaker of the House in 2008, succeeding Lance Cargill. Benge is noted for authoring the "Prisoners Public Work Act" and advocating for energy reform and modernization of state government. His tenure saw him championing the use of natural gas and pushing for workers' compensation reform. Benge's legislative achievements include six bills signed into law during the 2009 session.