BENNETT (Enoch), Arnold, English author: b. Hanley, Staffordshire, 27 May 1867. He was educated at Newcastle Middle School, first took up law as his profession, which he abandoned to take up journalism, becoming assistant editor of Woman in 1893, and editor in 1896. He gave up journalism in 1900 to devote himself exclusively to literature. He' had published two novels— 'A Man from the North) (1898), and (The Great Babylon Hotel) (1902), before his (Anna of the Five Towns,' issued in Ahe same year, revealed the fact that a new master had risen in English fiction, and his succeeding boolcs dealing with the Five Towns— the pottery district of North Staf fordshire in which the author was reared — have, in the opinion of H. G. Wells, given him the foremost place in contemporary English fiction. These are (The Grim Smile of the Five Towns) (1907); (The Old Wives' Tale) (1908); (Clayhanger) (1910) ; (The Card) (1911); (Hilda Lessways' (1912) and (The Matador of the Five Towns) (1912). A realist
of great power, these tales deal with common place people in drab and unimpressive surround ings, and reveal in the most arrestive fashion how the seemingly outward monotony of their existence pulsates inwardly with moving drama. A writer of amazing fecundity, Mr. Bennett has already published over 30 volumes, the majority of which reach a. high level as litera ture. Others of these are (Leonora) (1903); 'A Great Man) (1904) ; (Sacred and Pro fane Love) (1905); 'The Regent) (1913) ; (The Price of Love) (1914). His plays include (What the Public Wants) (1909) ; (The Great Adventure' (1913) and (with Edward Knob lauch) the brilliant, satisfying and enormously successful (Milestones) (1912), the motif of which, youth rebellious against the petrefaction and tyranny of age, and youth becoming old in its turn and bewildered. before the onslaught of the next generation, is a favorite with the author.