Richard Fenton was educated at the cathedral school of St. David's. He worked in the custom house in London before attending the Middle Temple. Fenton became acquainted with David Garrick and members of Samuel Johnson's circle, including Oliver Goldsmith. He practiced law in Wales, translated from the Greek, and collected antiquarian materials.
TEXT RECORDS:
1773To Mr. Mickle, on his Specimen of a Translation of the Lusiad of Camoens, from the Portuguese.
PUBLICATIONS:
Poems. 1773.
Poems. 2 vols, 1790.
An historical tour through Pembrokeshire. 1811.
PROFILE AND
ASSOCIATES:
Welsh
English
Anglican
Middle Temple
Inns of Court
laywer
poet
antiquary
translator
Rev. William Lisle Bowles
Hannah Cowley
David Garrick
Oliver Goldsmith
Richard Glover
William Julius Mickle
REFERENCE:
DNB; NCBEL.
Obituary in Gentleman's Magazine 91 (Supplement 1821) 644-45; Allibone, Critical Dictionary of English Literature (1858-71; 1882).
BIOGRAPHY RECORDS
for Richard Fenton:
1. | 1821 Anonymous, Obituary in Gentleman's Magazine 91 (Supplement 1821) 644-45. |
AUTHOR AS CRITIC:
(commentary records)
1. | 1770 Thomas Pennant: Richard Fenton, "To Thomas Pennant, Esq. whilst making his Tour of Wales" 1770; Poems (1790) 2:123-29. |
2. | 1772 ca. Rev. William Mason: Richard Fenton, "Left on a Lady's Table, as an Apology for not waiting till her return from the Play of Elfrida" 1772 ca.; Poems (1790) 2:88-89. |
3. | 1773 Sir Richard Fanshawe: Richard Fenton, in "To Mr. Mickle" Fenton, Poems (1773) 48-50. |
4. | 1773 Oliver Goldsmith: Richard Fenton, "To Dr. Goldsmith, on the Publication of his Deserted Village" Poems (1773) 26-33. |
5. | 1773 William Julius Mickle: Richard Fenton, "To Mr. Mickle" Fenton, Poems (1773) 47-49. |
6. | 1776 Hannah Cowley: Richard Fenton, "To Mrs. Cowley, on her first dramatic Production, the Comedy of the Runaway" 1776; Poems (1790) 1:18-19. |