By What Authority? Part I by Robert Hugh Benson is a religious fiction novel that delves into the complexities of Catholicism and church authority. Set against a historical backdrop, the book explores theological debates and the nature of faith within the context of religious conflict and doctrine. The narrative centers on a spiritual journey and moral questions, highlighting the struggles of individuals grappling with their beliefs and the authority of religious institutions. Through its exploration of conversion and apologetics, the novel examines the role of clergy and the impact of belief systems on personal and communal levels. Benson’s work offers a thoughtful analysis of the principles governing religious authority and the challenges of adhering to one's faith amidst differing perspectives. By What Authority? provides readers with a profound examination of Catholic doctrine and the tensions between spiritual convictions and institutional structures.
Robert Hugh Benson was an English Catholic priest and author who lived from 18 November 1871 to 19 October 1914. He began his ministry as an Anglican priest before being welcomed and ordained in the Catholic Church in 1903. He also wrote a lot of fiction, including Come Rack! Come to Rope! and the well-known dystopian novel Lord of the World. His works include current fiction, children's stories, plays, apologetics, devotional writings, and historical, horror, and science fiction. In parallel with rising through the ranks to serve as a Chamberlain to Pope Pius X in 1911 and earning the title of Monsignor before passing away a few years later, he continued his writing career. Benson, the younger brother of E. F., A. C., and Margaret Benson, was the youngest child of Edward White Benson, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and his wife, Mary. Robert Hugh Benson attended Eton College for his education before attending Trinity College in Cambridge from 1890 to 1893 to study classics and religion. Benson's father, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury at the time, gave him his ordination as a priest in the Church of England in 1895.
