Fenner, Charles, 1884-1955

Charles Fenner was an educationalist, geographer and author. Born on 18 May 1884 at Dunach, Victoria. Father of Frank Fenner.

Charles A.E. Fenner was born at Dunach, Victoria, on 18 May 1884, the fifth child of Johannes Fenner, from Germany and Mary, nee Thomas of Adelaide. After working at a local newspaper on leaving school, he joined the Victorian Education Department as a pupil-teacher. In 1905 he went to the Melbourne Teachers' College on a scholarship, graduating B. Sc with Honours and Dip. Ed., in 1913. He taught at several schools before his appointment to the Ballarat School of Mines & Industries, where he later became Principal. From 1916-1937 he was Superintendent of Technical Education in SA; during this time he completed research work for his D. Sc and later lectured in geography at the University of Adelaide. He succeeded W.J. Adey as Director of Education in 1937 and held this position until his retirement in 1946. He was interested in geology and geographical subjects, winning the Sachse Medal in 1919, the David Syme research prize in 1929 and John Lewis Medal in 1947; he was a frequent contributor of articles to journals and newspapers on these and Australian historical subjects, and was joint-editor of the 'The Centenary History of South Australia' in 1936. He married Emma Louise Hirt in 1911 and they had five children. He died at his home on 9 June 1955.