Richard Fenton

Richard Fenton (1746–1821) was a Welsh topographer and poet.

Richard Fenton

Life

Fenton was born at St. David's, Pembrokeshire, received his education in the cathedral school there, and at an early age obtained a situation in London in the custom house. Later he entered the Middle Temple, and studied for the legal profession.

He became acquainted with literary and dramatic celebrities: Samuel Johnson, and Oliver Goldsmith, and of David Garrick, to whom many of his poems were addressed. After being called to the bar he attended the circuits in Wales for several years. The latter part of his life he devoted to literary pursuits. He was an intimate friend of William Lisle Bowles and of Sir Richard Colt Hoare, whom he frequently visited at Stourhead.

He died at Glynamel, near Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, in November 1821, and was buried at Manorowen.

Works

Fenton's works are:

Fenton also left comedies in manuscript, and manuscript materials for the history of every county in Wales.

Family

Fenton married the daughter of David Pillet, a Swiss military officer, the friend of the second Duke of Marlborough. By her he had a family who survived him.

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1889). "Fenton, Richard". Dictionary of National Biography 18. London: Smith, Elder & Co.