1815, and was admitted to the bar in Alexandria about 1820. Some years later he removed to Washington, D. C, where he filled the office of dis- trict attorney in 1841-'5, and 1849-53. He ranked for years as the ablest advocate of the capital, and wrote much on literary and political topics.
FENDLER, August, German botanist, b. near
Konigsberg in 1813; d. in the island of Trinidad,
27 Nov., 1883. He came to the United States, and
in 184(5 was employed in collecting botanical speci-
mens in Texas and Mexico. He was the author
of " The Mechanism of the Universe," a work of an
erratic character, and " Meteorology of Colonia
Tovar, Venezuela" (1857).
FENN, Harry, artist, b. in Richmond, Surrey,
England, 14 Sept., 1838. He was educated at
Ilesworth and Richmond, and at the age of eight-
een came to the United States. Pie has achieved
'great success as an illustrator of books, was one of
the founders of the American water-color society,
and has been one of its exhibitors nearly every
year since its organization. Some of his best
work is contained in " Picturesque America,"
" Picturesque Europe," and " Picturesque Pales-
tine." He has travelled extensively through the
United States, Canada, Europe, Egypt, and Pales-
tine, and the Sinaitie peninsula.
FENNELL, James, actor, b. in London, Eng.,
11 Dec. 176G; d. in Philadelphia, Pa., 14 June, 1816.
He was well educated, and studied for the bar, but
made his first appearance as an actor in 1787 at
the Edinburgh theatre, under the assumed name
of Cam bray. His success was such that he at once
found an engagement at Covent Garden theatre,
London, where he appeared at the end of the same
year under his own name as Othello. He remained
several seasons in London, acting and writing for
dramatic publications, and later spent some time
in Paris. In 1793, Fennell came to this country,
and made his first appearance in Philadelphia with
eminent success. Prom 1797 till 180(J he played
in New York, Boston, and other cities as a star
actor. Afterward he taught reading and elocution
in Boston, and for a time kept an academy in
Charlestown, Mass. In 1814 he established exten-
sive salt-works near New London, Conn., which led
to his financial ruin. In the early part of his ca-
reer Fennell was an actor of promise. He was of
commanding appearance, well educated, and care-
,fully studied his characters. His Othello, Zanga,
Glenalvon, and Pierre could hardly be excelled ;
Init any permanent success was prevented by his
eccentricity and irregular habits. He published
>' The Wheel of Truth," a comedy; "Picture of
Paris"; "Linden and Clara," a comedy (1791);
"Proceedings at Paris" (1792); and "Apology for
my Life " (Philadelphia, 1814).
FENNER, Arthur, governor of Rhode Island,
J), in Providence, R. I., in 1745; d. there, 15 Oct.,
1805. His ancestors were among the earliest in-
liabitants of Providence. He was at one time clerk
of the superior court, and was afterward governor of
the state in 1789-1805. — His son, James, senator,
b. in Providence, R. I., in 1771 ; d. there, 17 April,
1846, was graduated at Brown in 1789, and was U.
S. senator from 1805 till 1807. He was governor of
Rhode Island in 1807-'ll, 1824-'31, and 1844-'5.
FENNER, Cornelius George, poet, b. in
Providence, R. 1., 30 Dec, 1822 ; d. in Cincinnati,
Dhio, 4 Jan., 1847. He was graduated at Brown
in 1842, studied theology, and became pastor of
the 1st Unitarian church in Cincinnati. His wife
was the eldest daughter of Albert G. Greene. His
best-known poem is "Gulf -weed." He published
" Poems of Many Moods " (Boston, 1846).
FENNO, William Augustus, actor, b. in Bos-
ton, Mass., 1 March, 1814; d. in New York city, 19
Feb., 1873. His early life was spent with his
lather's family near Boston, but, at an early age,
a love of adventure led him to ship as a sailor
on board a merchantman on a voyage round the
world. After an extended cruise he studied for
the stage, and made his first appearance at the age
of seventeen at the Bowery theatre, New York, as
Snake in the " School for Scandal." He appeared
in Philadelphia, 5 Oct., 1848, at the Arch street
theatre, as Romeo, visited California in 1850, and
went to England in 1864. His provincial tours
were numerous and extended.
FENOUILLET, Emile de (fe-noo-yay'), Cana-
dian author, b. in Hyeres, in the department of
Var, France, in 1806 ; d. in Quebec, 25 June, 1859.
After pursuing a course of legal studies at Aix, he
removed to Montpellier, and soon afterward to
Paris, where he became a writer on the " Epoque."
Subsequently he accepted a professorship at Bonn,
and wrote letters that were published in " L'uni-
vers" of Paris. In October, 1854, he arrived in
Quebec, and during the next two years was editor-
in-chief of the "Journal de Quebec" Soon after-
ward he was appointed professor of history and
literature in Laval normal school.
FENTON, Reuben Eaton, statesman, b. in Carroll, Chautauqua co., N. Y.. 4 July, 1819 ; d. in Jamestown, N. Y., 25 Aug., 1885. His early education was obtained at Pleasant Hill and Fredonia
academies, in his
native county. He
was admitted to
the bar in 1841,
and began practice in Jamestown,
but, finding law
uncongenial, he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and
in a few years acquired a moderate fortTine. Meanwhile he took active interest in
politics, and in
1843 was elected
supervisor of the
town of Carroll,
which office he
held for eight
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years. In 1852 Mr. Fenton was elected to congress, and was active in the contest over the Kansas - Nebraska bill, being one of the forty-four northern Democrats that voted against the further extension of slavery. This action resulted in his defeat in 1854, when he was nominated by the Whigs and Democrats against the Know-nothing candidate. The Republicans of his district nominated Mr. Fenton for congress in 1856, and he was elected by a large majority, serving from 1857 till 1864. when he resigned, having been chosen governor of his state. He heartily supported the cause of the Union in the civil war, and stood firmly by President Lincoln and his cabinet in their war measures. He was inaugurated governor at the opening of the year 1865, and was re-elected by an increased majority. In 1868 he was elected to succeed Edwin D. Morgan as U. S. senator, and served from 1869 to 1875. The only public trust held by him after leaving the senate was that of chairman of the U. S. commission at the International monetary conference in Paris in 1878. Mr. Fenton actively promoted the interests of the
