Robert Benchley - Of All Things: "The freelance writer is a man who is paid per piece or per word or perhaps"

Known for his effortless humor, Robert Charles Benchley was a prolific essayist and a key figure in the Algonquin Round Table, influencing modern humorists. His work for Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, along with over 600 essays, showcased a range from topical to absurdist humor. Benchley also had a successful Hollywood career, winning an Academy Award for his short film How to Sleep and appearing in notable films like Alfred Hitchcock's Foreign Correspondent. Despite his success, struggles with alcohol and health ultimately marked his later years.