| Description | This Archive contains material relating to Fenton's studies and professional career, covering his classes as a student at the Letterpress Printing at the Aldenham Institute and awards received, Fenton's work in the industry for printing companies such as Crowther & Co and as a compositor for the National Institute of the Blind.
The Archive comprises records relating to Fenton's teaching career at St Brides Foundation Institute and London School of Printing including materials used in Fenton's classes such as booklets and leaflets, slides and machinery tools; handwritten and typed annotations organised mostly in notebooks or research files containing information on various subjects such as typesettings and photocomposition machines, halftones and colour separation; yearbooks and prospectuses, papers relating to his retirement and his work with other colleges such as Croydon College of Arts. Some records relate to Fenton's work as a steward at the Royal Festival Hall, where he worked for over twenty years.
This Archive includes records from Fenton's library; books, booklets, pamphlets, leaflets, periodicals, catalogues, prints, advertisements, and publications some printed and/or published by the London School of Printing. |
| Individual or organisational biography | Robert George Fenton was born on 15th August 1891 in Mile End, London. In 1905-1915 Fenton began as apprentice and later journeyman for Wyman and Sons in London; from 1907 to 1916 Fenton studied evening classes in Letterpress Printing at the Aldenham Institute, Fenton won competitions and was awarded several prizes. From 1915-1918, Fenton worked as Compositon Layout-Man and Proof Reader for Crowther and Co; from 1918-1920 Fenton was Overseer of Compositor and Deputy to Chief of Letterpress Department of the National Institute for the Blind.
In 1920 Fenton began working as instructor at the St Brides Foundation Printing School. Fenton continued working at its successor the London School of Printing and Kindred Trades after St Brides Printing School became under London County Council's direct jurisdiction. Fenton worked as an instructor and later was appointed Head of Composing Department for the London School of Printing from 1922-1949. Fenton continued in this position at the school's successor the London School of Printing and Graphic Arts until July 1956 when Fenton retired. Fenton then worked as a part-time instructor at the same college until July 1961.
Fenton also worked as a steward at the Royal Festival Hall from 1950 until the 1970s. It seems in the early 1980s Fenton may have taught or studied classes at the Croydon College of Art.
Fenton was a member of various trade unions, including the London Society of Compositors, the London Typographical Society and the National Graphical Association.
He died at home in 1989. |
| Custodial History | The archive was accumulated by Robert Fenton and it was donated to the London College of Communication Library on permanent loan in 2001 by his son, Alan Fenton, after Robert Fenton's death. It was transferred to the University of the Arts Archives and Special Collections Centre in 2007. |