Henry Kreitzer Benson (1877-1954) was a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Washington from 1904 to 1947, and is credited with creating the chemical engineering department at the university.

This portrait of Benson is part of a collection from McBride and Anderson photographers. Born in 1863, Ella McBride began working in the photography field in 1909 when she managed the Edward Curtis Studio. She opened her own studio in 1917 with Wayne Albee. Albee moved to San Diego in 1925, and McBride continued to operate a studio in various Seattle locations. In 1932 she partnered with Richard Anderson; they continued to work together until she retired in 1954 due to her failing eyesight. She died in 1965 at the age of 102. Taken before the McBride-Anderson partnership began; it is not known which partner was the photographer.

Handwritten on sleeve: Prof. H.K. Benson.
Photographer's Reference Number: 114

Caption information source: "Henry Kreitzer Benson papers," Archives West, https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv04112.