Charles Fell | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Fell (year unknown) | |
| 5th Mayor of Nelson, New Zealand | |
| In office 1 May 1874 – 8 January 1875 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles Yates Fell 5 August 1844 Nelson, New Zealand |
| Died | 9 June 1918(1918-06-09) (aged 73) Nelson |
| Resting place | Wakapuaka Cemetery |
| Relations | Alfred Fell (father) Arthur Fell (brother) Walter Fell (brother) George Fell (brother) Alfred Fell (son) William Richmond Fell (nephew) Arthur Atkinson (father-in-law) Maria Atkinson (mother-in-law) |
| Profession | barrister |
Charles Yates Fell (5 August 1844 – 9 June 1918) was a New Zealand barrister, politician, watercolour artist, and photographer.
Fell was born in Nelson in 1844.[1][2][3] He was the son ofAlfred Fell, merchant and early settler,[4] brother of the English politicianArthur Fell and grandson ofHenry Seymour, after whomSeymour Square inBlenheim is named.[5]
Fell took lessons with the Rev Meyrick Lully and later with Archdeacon Paul of Nelson. In 1859, both he and his parents returned to England, where he attendedKing's College School, London. From there he went toSt John's College, Oxford, from 1863 to 1867, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts. He married Edith Louisa Bainbridge at Putney, London, in 1869.[6]
Fell was admitted to bar and joined theHome Circuit, enteredLincoln's Inn, and thenceInner Temple.[7] After a short time practising in England he returned to New Zealand in 1870.
In 1880, he entered into partnership withArthur Atkinson, founding the legal firm Fell and Atkinson. For many years Fell was theCrown Solicitor, Registrar of theDiocese of Nelson, and governor ofNelson College.
After the death of his first wife in 1879,[8] he married Atkinson's daughter, Edith Emily Atkinson, in 1881.[9] She was also the niece of the painterDolla Richmond.
Fell becameMayor of Nelson on 23 November 1882[10] whenEdward Everett resigned. Fell remained Mayor until 21 December 1887[11] when he was succeeded byJohn Sharp.
Fell had painted in watercolour while at King's College but did not paint seriously until later life. He was a trustee of theBishop Suter Art Gallery, Nelson from its inception in 1896 until his death in 1918.[12] In 1918 he accompanied the painter Henry Morland Gore on a sketching tour ofMaitai Valley and a member of theNew Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.
Two of his works,St Johns Farm, Prades (1916) andMountain Village are held in the Suter. A third, Country Scene, Nelson, is held in a private collection.
Prior to returning to painting, Fell had become a photographer, specialising in landscapes and portraits. Some of his photographs are held in theNational Library of New Zealand.
Fell's talents also extended to music, being noted as a fine musician. He also promoted and supported theNelson School of Music.
He was also a good athlete, noted as a sprinter, astroke for his college boat at Oxford, and an expert horseman. In Nelson he was an enthusiastic yachtsman.
Fell died at Nelson on 9 June 1918[13] and was buried at Wakapuaka Cemetery.[14]
His son by his first wife,Alfred Fell, played rugby forScotland while studying atEdinburgh University and served in theRoyal Army Medical Corps. His son by his second wife, Charles Richmond Fell, took his place in Fell and Atkinson. He also had six daughters, four by his first wife and two by his second. One daughter, Sylvia Brockett, produced watercolour paintings and designed stamps.[15] Her stamp designs are in the collection at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[16]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Mayor of Nelson 1882–1887 | Succeeded by |
