# Major Anthony Benson — The Benson Murder Case character guide > Major Anthony Benson in The Benson Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Major Benson, Anthony Benson, Major, the unspeakable Benson, The Major **First appearance:** 0006-ii-at-the-scene-of-the-crime ## Snapshot The murdered man's brother, a military man whose contentious relationship with Alvin makes him both a grieving relative and a suspect. ## Who they are Major Benson is the surviving brother, a soldier whose strained history with Alvin colors how the family is viewed by investigators. He provides Markham with information about Alvin's personal affairs and social circle, helping to map the victim's world. His military bearing and the friction between the brothers keep him hovering at the edge of suspicion even as he cooperates with the inquiry. ## Relationships ### [John Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/john_markham) _professional_ Markham interviews Major Anthony Benson, Alvin's brother, as a key witness and potential suspect in the case. ### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance) _rivalry_ Major Anthony Benson is hostile toward Vance, viewing his interference in the family's affairs as an insult to his brother's memory. ### [Alvin Benson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/alvin_benson) _family_ Alvin and Anthony Benson are brothers, though their relationship is strained by Alvin's scandalous lifestyle and Anthony's rigid military code. ### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance) _rivalry_ Major Anthony Benson is hostile toward Vance, viewing his interference in the family's affairs as an insult to his brother's memory. ### [John Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/john_markham) _professional_ Markham interviews Major Anthony Benson, Alvin's brother, as a key witness and potential suspect in the case. ### [Alvin Benson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/alvin_benson) _family_ Alvin and Anthony Benson are brothers, though their relationship is strained by Alvin's scandalous lifestyle and Anthony's rigid military code. ### [John Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/john_markham) _professional_ Markham interviews Major Anthony Benson, Alvin's brother, as a key witness and potential suspect in the case. ### [Alvin Benson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/alvin_benson) _family_ Alvin and Anthony Benson are brothers, though their relationship is strained by Alvin's scandalous lifestyle and Anthony's rigid military code. ### [Philo Vance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/philo_vance) _rivalry_ Major Anthony Benson is hostile toward Vance, viewing his interference in the family's affairs as an insult to his brother's memory. ## In the story ### [Characters of the Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/characters-of-the-book) Brother of the murdered man. ### [Gathering Information](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/v-gathering-information) Provides limited information about his brother's affairs, suggesting a possible motive involving women, but offers no specific leads. ### [A Motive and a Threat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xi-a-motive-and-a-threat) Joins the group after Pfyfe leaves; confirms Leacock was in his regiment and recalls a similar incident where Leacock drew a gun, but downplays it. ### [Links in the Chain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xiv-links-in-the-chain) Doubts Leacock's guilt and asks Markham to wait before arresting him, based on his long acquaintance with the Captain. ### [XV: Pfyfe—Personal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xv-pfyfe-personal) Brings his secretary Miss Hoffman to Markham's office to report a quarrel between Leander Pfyfe and Alvin Benson over a note and a check. ### [Admissions and Suppressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xvi-admissions-and-suppressions) Refuses to disclose his suspicions, citing chivalry, and suggested Miss Hoffman omit details about the package. ### [XVIII: A Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xviii-a-confession) Expresses doubt about Leacock's guilt and hints at an ulterior motive for the confession. ### [XIX: Vance Cross-Examines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xix-vance-cross-examines) Supports Vance's analysis; expresses willingness to help Markham find the real killer. ### [XXIII: Checking an Alibi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xxiii-checking-an-alibi) The subject of the alibi check; his actions on the night of the murder are recounted by the elevator boy, and his locked humidor is found to contain the stolen jewel-case. ### [The Arrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xxiv-the-arrest) Revealed as the murderer; reacts violently when confronted with evidence of the pistol and jewels. ### [XXV: Vance Explains His Methods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/chapters/xxv-vance-explains-his-methods) Identified by Vance as the murderer based on the psychological profile of the crime; described as a cool-headed, self-confident gambler. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters/major_anthony_benson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_benson_murder_case_se/characters