Benjamin was son of the Rev. Rann Kennedy, sometime incumbent of St. Paul’s Church in Birmingham and editor of A Church of England Psalm-Book (1821). Benjamin was educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham; Shrewsbury School; and St. John’s College, Cambridge. He graduated B.A. in 1827 (First Medalist). He was Fellow of his College (1828-36); Headmaster of Shrewsbury School (1836-66); and Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Cambridge and Canon of Ely, 1867. He took Holy Orders in 1829, and was for some time Prebendary in Lichfield Cathedral and Rector of West Felton, Salop. He was elected Hon. Fellow of St. John’s College, Cambridge, in 1880. His works include:

• Public School Latin Grammar
• Palaestra Latina
• Palaestra Stili Latini
• University Sermons
• The Psalter, or the Psalms of David, in English Verse. By a Member of the University of Cambridge, 1860.
• Hymnologia Christiana, or Psalms & Hymns Selected and Arranged in the Order of the Christian Seasons, 1863

Kennedy versified many of the psalms, and wrote and translated numerous other hymns, as well.