The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1907-04-12
George Granville Benedict.
lSt. Alhnns Messenger.l


To be on the editorial staff of a
newspaper for 81 years and its editor
in.chief for 40 years; to be an alumnuS
of college for almost 60 years, and
a trustee and secretary of the institu.
ton for two.score years-these facts in
themselves enttle a man to distinction.
But the name of George Grenville
Benedict, whose death was recorded in
the news columns of The Messenger
yesterday, rests upon something more
substantial than mere length of days,
or long periods of service in any ca.
pacity. Beginning as an active force
in the development of the industrial
life of his state, he served his country
later with credit as soldier and Off
Ger in the civil war, and, on his return
to peaceful pursuits, assumed the
duties of editor of The Burlington
Free Press, which he performed with
signal ability for long period of
years. He was a graceful writer, hav-
ing a command of the best English,
and was able to support his views with
great vigor and clearness. Throughout
his long career he stood invariably for
high ideals and for the right as it was
revealed to him to see it. Naturally
he differed from some of his newspa
per brethren in matters of public
pOlicy-for no two men of ideas look
at every question from precisely the
same viewpoint-but those who OPP.
posed him always recognized in him
courteous opponent and high-minded
and honorable gentleman. He is en-
titled to rank high among the men in
the history of the state who have
welded a powerful influence as mould.
ers of public opinion through the me
dunn of the press.
He was equally well known as a stu
dent and writer of the history of Yer
mont. 1t is probable that at the time
of his death no man living had as ac-
curate or comprehensive a knowledge
of all that pertained to the annals of
this state as that possessed by Mr. |
Benedict In his "Vermont in the
Civil War "Gilman s photography |
of Vermont, " "Army Life in Vir-
ginia,' and his magazine articles and /
occasional addresses as president of the !
Vermont Historical society, he left a
ldsllHP lHOUuHutHl W MS Nblh dS Il SUI /
dent of Vermont history.
He took a keen and intelligent in
terest in all that pertained to the wei
fare of his state and nation. 1t was
his privilege. beyond that of most of
his fellows, to have a wide acquaint
ance with distinguished public men
generals and authOrs-and
it was a rare privilege to listen to the
with which his retentive
was stored. He was man of
'ulture and scholarship, who had read
much and Travelled much, active in his
,hurch, prominent in all that pertained
o the higher life of his city and state,
md in the best sense of the term a (
rood and a useful citizen. {
To the young men with whom he $
vas associated he was wise coun- t
elor and faithful friend; to his bus c
ness associates he was a sagacious ad- i
User; to a large newspaper constitu- /
ncv he was a trusted leader. Never r
he was always a genial i
and kind and considerate a
n his relations with his fellows. He v
yas happy in his life and happy in
is death, being granted the privilege
f long and useful career and being
pared from the Affections of body a
nd mind so often incident to old age. t.
Tow, full of years and honors, he en- d
ers into well earned rest The state f
f Vermont and the profession of p
,hich he was for so long its valued i
nd distinguished dean, are poorer to, Il
ay because of his death, but richer D
ecause of the memory of a well lived p
nd honorable life. t,