[Original Letters, &c., by J. Fenn; Gairdner's edition of the Paston Letters, 1872; Gent. Mag. 1813, pt. ii. p. 508, 1814, pt. ii. p. 3; Nichols's Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century, viii. 139–40; Nichols's Illustrations of Literary History, v. 167–81 (several of his letters), vi. 623, 821; Granger's Letters illustrative of Biographical History, ed. Malcolm, pp. 79–114.]
FENN, JOSEPH FINCH (1820–1884), honorary canon of Gloucester, son of the Rev. Joseph Fenn, minister of Blackheath Park Chapel, Kent, was born in 1820, and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. 1842, M.A. 1845, and B.D. 1877. He was ordained a deacon in 1845, and priest in the following year. In 1844 he had gained a fellowship of his college, which he held until 1847, when, on accepting the vicarage of Stotfold, Bedfordshire, he resigned. In 1860 he was appointed by the trustees to the perpetual curacy of Christ Church, Cheltenham, on the resignation of Archibald Boyd [q. v.]; in 1877 he became chaplain to the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, and in 1879 an honorary canon of Gloucester; and in 1880 he was elected one of the two proctors in convocation for the united diocese.
Though a good scholar and of very extensive reading, Fenn published little, devoting himself to his parochial duties, including the careful preparation of his sermons. Some of these, forming a volume entitled ‘Lenten Teachings, 1877–84,’ have been published since his death. He kept clear of the controversies dividing the church of England. He took an active share in all movements for the improvement of the young, and was the eloquent promoter of the free library system in Cheltenham. During the latter years of his life he was a strong adherent to the cause of total abstinence. He was generally regarded as an evangelical, but was not a party man. He supported the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel as heartily as the Church Missionary Society, and had a leaning to the old high church section. He declined an offer of the benefice of St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, in 1877, in compliance with the wishes of the Christ Church congregation. The church of St. Stephen, Tivoli, in the district of Christ Church, was erected mainly by his exertions to meet the wants of an increasing population, and he contributed liberally towards the undertaking. He was twice married, and has left issue. He died on 22 July 1884, and was buried in his family vault in the churchyard of Leckhampton, near Cheltenham. A large memorial brass has been erected in Christ Church.
[Graduati Cantabrigienses, 1846, p. 108; Cambridge University Calendars; Gloucestershire Notes and Queries, iii. 580.]
FENNELL, JAMES (1766–1816), actor and dramatist, was born 11 Dec. 1766. His father was in the treasury department of the navy pay office. He went first to school at Bow under the Rev. Dr. French, and subsequently to Eton. After a trip to France he entered Trinity College, Cambridge. His life at the university was extravagant. Abandoning an idea of taking orders he entered Lincoln's Inn. In consequence of gambling debts he mortgaged to his father the money to which he was entitled, and when no further allowance could be obtained went to Edinburgh, June 1787, with a view to adopting the stage as a profession. Jackson, manager of the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, engaged him as an amateur. His first appearance, under the name of Cambray, from the resemblance of his own name to Fénelon, was as Othello. He played six times in Edinburgh with some success, and accepted an engagement for the following season. Returning to London, he appeared at Covent Garden 12 Oct. 1787 as Othello, and acted in other plays. Harris, the manager, offered to engage him and pay his forfeit (200l.) to Jackson, but he returned to Edinburgh in time for the season of 1788. He worked diligently and conscientiously. He was to play Jaffier in ‘Venice Preserved,’ the part of Pierre being assigned to an actor named Woods. A proposal that the parts should be exchanged led to a riot in the theatre and a bitter controversy, Fennell offering at one point to reveal a ‘scene of villainy.’ The Edinburgh lawyers took part against him, and addressed a letter to the manager (15 July 1788) signed by Henry Erskine (dean of faculty), and 182 advocates and writers (appendix to the History of the Scottish Stage). Fennell began an action against his persecutors, but ultimately consented to a compromise. He received 500l., and his adversaries agreed to take tickets for a benefit. They also invited him to show himself once more on the stage. He appeared accordingly as Othello. He gave one more performance in Edinburgh and went to London, where he is said to have edited the ‘Theatrical Guardian,’ of which six weekly numbers are believed to have appeared in London, March and April 1791, 4to. He played Othello 25 Aug. at York, and was, says his employer, Tate Wilkinson, ‘well received’ (Wandering Patentee, iii. 85). Three days later he enacted Don Felix to the Violante of Miss Farren [q. v.] Upon his arrival in London he was arrested for debt. He was still helped by his father, who with other
