Benefactors of the Lit & Phil
There have been many benefactors to whom the Society is very grateful. On this page, we highlight some of the most influential. Many of the benefactors were also presidents of the Society, and more information about them can be found here.
Edward Shipley Ellis
Alderman Edward Shipley Ellis a wealthy member of the Society (one of the prominent Ellis family of Quakers, and Mayor in 1860-61 ) offered the Society £400 (later raised to £1,100 – equivalent to approximately £120,000 in 2026) to launch an appeal for subscriptions towards building a major extension to the Museum, which was to include a large Public Lecture Room and a Council Room for the use of the Lit and Phil. Other promised donations quickly raised this to £3,300, and the Corporation, as the owner and manager of the building, agreed to take up the project. The Council applied to the Lords of the Treasury (who regulated local council capital expenditure) and was granted permission to contribute £3,000 out of receipts from the sale of real estate.
Photo: courtesy of Leicester Museums and Galleries
Frederick William Bennett MD BSc
Frederick William Bennett MD BSc was president in 1904 - 1905
Dr Bennett’s family donated money to both the Lit & Phil and the University of Leicester where it finances the annual Bennett (Geology) Lecture to which Lit & Phil Members are cordially invited.
Harry Hardy Peach
Harry Hardy Peach was President from 1920 to 21. He founded Dryad Cane Furniture and championed high quality craft and design education. As a driving force behind the Design and Industries Association, he promoted the integration of art and industry, better design standards, and education for workers. He also campaigned for countryside preservation, leading to new legislation and the creation of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England.
His legacy continues through the Peach Lecture, held jointly by the Lit & Phil and the University of Leicester funded in his memory and focused on design and conservation.
Howard N T Staunton
Howard N T Staunton MA was president from 1973 to 1974.
His firm, Howard Staunton & Co., originally operated from 29 Bowling Green Street, Leicester.
He left a legacy which funds one the Lit&Phil annual lectures.
Arthur and Jean Humphreys
Arthur R Humphreys MA AM was President 1965 from 1966. In 1947 he was appointed Professor of English at University College Leicester and was one of the Founding Professors of the Chartered University of Leicester in 1957. He also served as the first Dean of Arts and as Public Orator.
His wife Jean, was president from 2009 to 2010. Together they were great supporters of music and the arts in the City and Council.
Jean left a bequest to the Lit & Phil to finance one annual lecture.