Background
Fell was born in Nelson in 1844. He was the son of Alfred Fell, merchant and early settler, brother of the English politician Arthur Fell and grandson of Henry Seymour, after whom Seymour Square in Blenheim is named.
Fell was born in Nelson in 1844. He was the son of Alfred Fell, merchant and early settler, brother of the English politician Arthur Fell and grandson of Henry Seymour, after whom Seymour Square in Blenheim is named.
In 1859 both he and his parents returned to England where he attended King"s College School, London.
Fell took lessons with the Rev Meyrick Lully and later with Archdeacon Paul of Nelson. From there he went to Street John"s College, Oxford from 1863 to 1867 obtaining a Bachelor of
Fell was admitted to bar and joined the Home Circuit, entered Lincoln"s Inn, and thence Inner Temple. After a short time practising in England he returned to New Zealand in 1870.
Foreign many years Fell was the Crown Solicitor, Registrar of the Diocese of Nelson, and governor of Nelson College.
She was also the niece of the painter Dorothy Richmond. Fell became Mayor of Nelson on 23 November 1882 when Edward Everett resigned.
Fell remained Mayor until 21 December 1887 when he was succeeded by John Sharp. Fell had painted in watercolour while at King"s College but did not paint seriously until later life.
He was a trustee of the Bishop Suter Art Gallery, Nelson from its inception in 1896 until his death in 1918.
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 the National Library of New Zealand.
Fell"s talents also extended to music, being noted as a fine musician.
He also promoted and supported the Nelson School of Music. He was also a good athlete, noted as a sprinter, a stroke 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 and was buried at Wakapuaka Cemetery.
In 1918 he accompanied the painter Henry Morland Gore on a sketching tour of Maitai Valley and a member of the New Zealand Academy of Fine.