An often overlooked influence upon Benchley's early professional career was the admiration and friendship of the Canadian economist, academic, and humorist Dr. Stephen Leacock. From Toronto Leacock closely followed the increasing body of Benchley's published humor and wit, and opened correspondence between them. He admitted to occasional borrowing of a Benchley topic for his own reflection and writings. Eventually, he began lobbying gently for Benchley to compile his columns into book form, and, in 1921, was delighted when the result of his nagging - "Of All Things" - was published. The British edition of the book carried a Leacock introduction, and Benchley, for his part – in a tribute to Leacock – later said he wrote everything Leacock ever wrote. They had a marvelous friendship.