Charles Fell

Charles Yates Fell (5 August 1844 – 9 June 1918) was a New Zealand barrister, politician and watercolour artist.

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 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 attended King's College School, London. From there he went to St John's College, Oxford from 1863 to 1867 obtaining a Bachelor of Arts. He married Edith Louisa Bainbridge at Putney, London in 1869.

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.

In 1880 he entered into partnership with Arthur Atkinson, founding the legal firm Fell and Atkinson. For many years Fell was the Crown Solicitor, Registrar of the Diocese of Nelson, and governor of Nelson College.

After death of his first wife in 1879 he married Atkinson's daughter, Edith Emily Atkinson, in 1881. 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.

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