Hunter Benckendorf

Hunter Benckendorf
 			
Personal Details 			
Born: December 2, 1754 			
Death: N/A 			
State: New York 			
Spouse: Dea Winston 			
Children: Barron 			
Family: Benckendorf 			
Alma Matter: College of Philadelphia			
Hunter Peelio Benckendorf was an artist, playwright, and song writer, born on December 2, 1754 to Joseph H. Benckendorf and Julia Benckendorf. Hunter was third son of the Benckendorfs, his older brothers were Scott Benckendorf and George Benckendorf, both major players in early american politics.
Hunter Benckendorf was interested in art from a young age, becoming a sketch artist and writing little tunes in notebooks and in the margins of papers. In 1772 Hunter attended the College of Philadelphia for agriculture with a minor in writing. Hunter graduated in 1776 while the American Revolution was in full swing, instead of joining the military like many of his peers were doing, Benckendorf returned to the Benckendorf Plantation, farming with his father instead of fighting. 
In 1780 Hunter Benckendorf debuted his first play, Battle of Monmouth, a historical recount of the Battle of Monmouth which favored the United States in it's writings, it was a minor success, giving him the opportunity to launch another play known as Jaunt of King's Quarrel in 1782, which was a satire on King George III, it was a huge success, and he would sit for his one and only portrait. The play gave Hunter the money to buy his own home in New York City, and in 1783 he moved out of his family home.
Hunter would turn to a full blown artist, painting many portraits for close family and other officials throughout the nation. Hunter would marry Dea Winston in 1787, having only one kid with her in 1789, Barron Benckendorf, named after his brother Scott's middle name. Dea died in childbirth, and out of heartbreak Hunter never remarried, instead remaining an artist the rest of his life.
Category:Benckendorf