Nigel C. Benson (born January 15, 1955) is a British author and illustrator. Benson was born in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, son of Ralph H. Benson, a fine artist specializing in oils and pastels, and Heather M. Benson. He grew up in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, and was educated at Dunstable Grammar School (where film star Gary Cooper and other notables were taught). He gained an Honours Degree in Psychology at North East London Polytechnic (now the University of East London) and a master's degree in Education through the Open University. He is a PhD research student at the University of London Institute of Education.