Paddy Benson

{{Short description|British Anglican priest}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox person

| name = George Patrick Benson

| image =

| caption =

| birth_date = 26 June 1949

| birth_place = Derby, United Kingdom

| occupation = Priest

}}

George Patrick Benson (called Paddy; born 26 June 1949 in Derby) is an Anglican priest; he was Archdeacon of Hereford[http://www.hereford.anglican.org/churchwork/diocesan_office/index.aspx Photo]. {{Archive url|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622164740/http://www.hereford.anglican.org/churchwork/diocesan_office/index.aspx|date=2012-06-22}} from 2011{{Who's Who | title=Benson, George Patrick | id = U254533 | volume = 2017 | edition = November 2016 online | access-date = 15 October 2017 }} until his retirement in the summer of 2018.

Benson was educated at Bemrose School, Leighton Park School and Christ Church, Oxford (he graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts {BA} degree). He continued his education at All Nations Christian College{{cite web | url=https://www.cccw.cam.ac.uk/?archives=george-patrick-paddy-benson | title=Benson, George Patrick (Paddy) }} in preparation for his next role. He worked was an Editorial Assistant then Director of Academic Studies at St Andrew's College, Kabare in Kenya from 1978. After returning to the UK in 1989 he trained for ordination at Trinity College, Bristol and was ordained in 1992. After a curacy at St Mary Upton, Wirral he was Vicar of Christ Church, Barnston, Wirral {{Crockford

| forenames = Paddy (George Patrick)

| surname = Benson

| id = 31658

| accessed = 15 October 2017

}}

until his appointment as Archdeacon of Hereford.[http://www.hereford.anglican.org/news/151/new-archdeacon-of-hereford-is-announced.aspx Hereford Anglican] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303043743/http://www.hereford.anglican.org/news/151/new-archdeacon-of-hereford-is-announced.aspx |date=2016-03-03 }} His retirement was announced in 2017, effective in August 2018.[https://www.hereford.anglican.org/news/2017/09/08/archdeacon-paddy-retire/ Diocese of Hereford — Archdeacon Paddy to retire] (Accessed 15 October 2017)