Mr. Bensington

Jane

Jane is acquainted with Mr. Bensington, a fellow scientist and collaborator of her husband.

Professor Redwood

Mr. Bensington is a fellow scientist and co-discoverer of the Food of the Gods, collaborating with Redwood.

Professor Redwood

Mr. Bensington is a fellow scientist and co-discoverer of the Food of the Gods, collaborating with Redwood.

Professor Redwood

Mr. Bensington is a fellow scientist and co-discoverer of the Food of the Gods, collaborating with Redwood.

Book I: The Dawn of the Food

Co-discoverer of the Food; conceives the idea and oversees early experiments.

The Discovery of the Food

A short, bald, stooping chemist with gold-rimmed spectacles and cut-open cloth boots; conceives the idea of the Food and names it Herakleophorbia.

I

Introduced as a short, bald, stooping Fellow of the Royal Society and former president of the Chemical Society, known for his research on the More Toxic Alkaloids.

The Food of the Gods

Co-discoverer of the Food; initially enthusiastic but quickly adopts a more reserved scientific demeanor, though he privately considers its commercial potential.

III

Conceives the idea of the Food of the Gods after reading Redwood's paper.

IV

Lies awake after discussing the Food with Redwood, then dreams of the earth swelling and bursting boundaries.

The Experimental Farm

Selects the farm, hires the Skinners, and is thrilled by the giant chicks.

I

Conceives the idea of the Food of the Gods, selects the experimental farm, and hires the Skinners.

II

Visits the Experimental Farm, observes the giant chicks, and decides to take a specimen.

The Giant Chick

Observes the giant chick and begins to realize the possible consequences of the Food.

IV

Kept from revisiting the farm by a severe imaginary catarrh; unaware of the wasp outbreak.

V

Present during Skinner's report, asks about the hens but is largely passive.

Mrs. Skinner's Flight

Referenced as having brought the tins of Herakleophorbia IV on his last visit.

III: The Giant Rats

Injured during the expedition; later despondent about the spread of bigness and public inaction.

Chapter II

Maintains a detached, theoretical view of the Herakleophorbia experiments, despite the growing chaos.

III

Follows Cossar's orders, though distracted by thoughts of his cousin Jane; goes to get money and sulfur.

IV

Accompanies Cossar in the dogcart, reflecting on the nature of will and the obvious course of action.

V

Sits alone on watch, reflecting on the death of Skinner and the unforeseen dangers of his discovery.

VI

Participates in the expedition, observing the events with astonishment and wishing his cousin Jane could see him.

VII

Works alongside Cossar, experiences exhilaration and fatigue, and reflects on the significance of their actions.

IV: The Giant Children

Returns to London to find himself famous and conflicted about the consequences of his discovery.

I

Returns to London to find himself famous; struggles with the moral weight of his discovery and the public's frivolous reaction.

II

Bensington is troubled by the public uproar and Winkles's manipulations, but remains passive.

III

Discusses the Royal Commission with Redwood; expresses dislike for the term 'Boomfood' and concern about the agitation.

IV

Anxious about the consequences of the Food, especially regarding the royal princess, and considers Caterham's warnings.

VI

Bensington visits the nursery, expressing awe and a hint of fear about the future size of the giant children.

The Minimificence of Mr. Bensington

Disguised as an old woman to escape a lynch mob, then retires to Tunbridge Wells where he becomes a local curiosity.

Chapter II: The Flight of Mr. Bensington

The original discoverer of Herakleophorbia IV, forced to flee a lynch mob and escape in disguise, never to interfere with the Food again.

III

Retires to Tunbridge Wells, becomes a local figure, and focuses on his health treatments, indifferent to the ongoing conflicts.

I: The Coming of the Food

Mentioned as the originator of the Food in his study, though not present in the chapter's events.

I

Mentioned as the originator of the Food, whose study was the starting point of the theme.

VII

Held responsible by parish councillors for the injury to the parish.

IV: Redwood’s Two Days

Bensington is recalled in Redwood's memories of the early days of the Food.

Chapter II

Recalled in Redwood's memories of the early days of the Food and his cousin Jane.

The Gathering of the Giants

Appears in Redwood's memory as a contrast to the present grandeur, recalling the early days of the Food.