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E. C. Bentley

E. C. Bentley

An English novelist and humorist, Edmund Clerihew Bentley is best known as the inventor of the clerihew, a whimsical form of irregular biographical verse.

Lived
1875–1956
Nationality
English
Language
English

Edmund Clerihew Bentley was an English novelist and humorist who published his works under the names E. C. Bentley and E. Clerihew Bentley. Born in 1875, he developed a literary career that spanned several decades until his death in 1956. He is widely recognized for his contributions to English humor and literature, successfully working across multiple formats. Bentley's most enduring legacy is his invention of the 'clerihew,' an irregular and humorous form of biographical verse. This poetic style typically presents whimsical, lighthearted, and satirical observations about historical or contemporary figures. Through this unique creation, Bentley secured a lasting place in the history of English light poetry, demonstrating a playful approach to biography that continues to bear his name.