.... was born in Hampstead in 1864 and was employed as a musical instrument maker in the 1890’s.  

Perhaps he learned to make Zither banjos while being employed and then went out on his own ..  the inlays are not reminicent of the Birmingham or other London makers, and his makers name on this example was embossed using individual letter punches, so he was probably working on his own at the time.  

Needless to say W Dennis zither banjos come up from time to time so he must have made a significant number.

Images courtesy of Keith Wallis