Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • Thomas Hart Benton (1782-1858): A United States senator and legislator known for his opposition to the use of paper currency and his advocacy for hard money.
   • Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975): A United States artist, a major figure in the American Regionalist movement, whose paintings and murals depicted scenes of everyday life in the Midwest and the American South.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Legislator):

  • The financial policies of Senator Benton were controversial in his time.
  • Benton was a staunch defender of "hard money" over paper banknotes.

• Proper noun (Artist):

  • The museum is hosting an exhibition featuring works by Benton.
  • Benton's mural vividly captures the spirit of rural America.

Advanced Usage

• "Bentonian": Pertaining to the ideas or style of Thomas Hart Benton (typically the artist).
  • The painter's Bentonian style is characterized by fluid, sculptural forms and dynamic compositions.

Variants and Related Words

• Bentonite (n): A type of absorbent clay, named after Fort Benton, Wyoming, not directly after the person but sharing the root name.
  • Bentonite clay is often used in drilling and construction.

Synonyms

• The Missouri Senator (for the legislator).
• The Regionalist painter (for the artist).

Notes on Meaning

• The word "Benton" almost exclusively refers to these two specific historical figures. It is not a common noun with a general definition. Context is essential to determine which Thomas Hart Benton is being discussed.

Noun

1. United States legislator who opposed the use of paper currency (1782-1858)
2. United States artist whose paintings portrayed life in the Midwest and South (1889-1975)