Born in the London Borough of Hendon, Travers was educated at Charterhouse School followed by a brief spell in business. He served in the RFC and RNAS during the First World War and also rejoined the RAF in 1939 as Squadron Leader.
Travers' first play "The Dippers" was produced in 1922 by Sir Charles Hawtrey. It was followed by his celebrated series of Farces staged at the Aldwych Theatre, and a number of well-received serious plays. Travers also wrote 5 novels, two autobiographies and a book of cricket reminiscences. In 1970 the BBC produced the farces Rookery Nook, A Cuckoo In The Nest, Turkey Time, A Cup Of Kindness, Plunder, Dirty Work and She Follows Me About for television. At the age of 83, Travers rewrote the plays to concentrate on the plot twists and verbal misunderstandings rather than the slapstick and split-second timing that typified the stage versions.
In 1976 he was presented with a Special Standard Drama Award for his services to the Theatre, and he received the CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Other newer buildings include the Art Studio, the John Derry Technology Centre, the BenTravers Theatre, the Ralph Vaughan Williams Music Centre, the Halford Hewitt Golf Course, the Queen’s Sports Centre, the Sir Greville Spratt athletics track and Chetwynd, a hall of residence for girls.
The arts are also encouraged at Charterhouse, with plays such as Les Miserables, Julius Caesar and Oliver Twist performed at the BenTravers Theatre.
The BenTravers Theatre on Queen's Drive, opened in 1983, and named after the playwright who was an Old Carthusian.
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