Ben·ton 1  (běn'tən)  American legislator. A U.S. senator (1821-1851) and representative (1853-1855) from Missouri, he staunchly opposed the use of paper currency. |
| Benton 2, Thomas Hart 1889-1975. American artist whose paintings and murals, such as The History of Missouri, were executed in a flat, realistic style known as regionalism and portrayed life in the Midwest and South. |