Henry Rowe Hocking Kenner

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Dr.
Henry Rowe Hocking Kenner
B.A., LL.D.
Born28 March 1867
Mevagissey, Cornwall, England
Died1944
Peterborough, Ontario
Resting placeLittle Lake Cemetery
EducationBachelor of Arts
Alma materUniversity of Toronto
OccupationPrincipal
EmployerPeterborough Board of Education
SpouseMary Isobel (Williams) Kenner
ChildrenHugh Kenner
Parent(s)William and Emily (Staples) Kenner

Henry Rowe Hocking Kenner (1867–1944) was a university trained educator and influential member of the City of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. He emigrated from Cornwall in England to Canada in the early 1870s and began his teaching career in Caledonia, Ontario. After graduation from the University of Toronto he continued in the education field for another 50 years retiring from Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School at the age of 76. In 1952, the Peterborough Board of Education named its second high school in his honour.

Early life and family[edit]

H.R.H. Kenner was born on March 28, 1867, in Mevagissey, Cornwall, England, to William and Emily (Staples) Kenner.[1][2] In 1872 his father, immigrated to Canada during a three-week voyage on a sailing ship and became a prominent and respected Methodist Bible Christian minister throughout southern and central Ontario.[3] Kenner married Mary Isobel (Williams), a French and German teacher, July 23, 1918.[4][5] They had one son, Hugh Kenner, who they raised at 396 Downie Street, now a heritage home in the City of Peterborough.[6][7]

Education career[edit]

Kenner started his teaching career in Caledonia, Ontario. In 1886 took his high school assistant qualifications[8] and then took on the position in 1889.[9] He completed his Bachelor of Arts and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1893.[10] As expected for humanities teachers at the time, he traveled to Europe with a focus on Rome. The "Weekly Review" newspaper printed installments of his writing as a series titled "A Journey to the Eternal City" that had a limited publish as a book.[11]

Peterborough Collegiate Institute circa 1917. H.R.H. Kenner was the founding Principal from 1908 to 1943.

He then went on to teach Greek and Latin at the Peterborough Collegiate Institute in 1893. While he played football and baseball there, he also coached baseball and earned the nickname "Sam".[12][13] Kenner became the first principal of Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School (PCVS) from 1908 to 1943.[14] During the Great War, the proximity to the Peterborough Armouries was known to be a source of frustration for him as he was quoted to have complained to the City Council that, "young pupils are too keen on soldiering rather than studies."[15] Kenner was awarded an honorary doctorate degree of law by the University of Toronto in 1936.[16][17]

Upon his retirement, in recognition of 50 years of service,[18] he was presented with a hand-lettered and hand-painted, illuminated certificate signed by James Hamilton (Peterborough Mayor), C.M. Scott (Chair of the Public School Board), and W.H. Gainey (Chair of the Separate School Board).[19] Kenner was also presented with a Retirement Scroll from his last student cohort on June 4, 1943.[20] His retirement photograph was adorned to the balcony foyer of the PCVS auditorium, since a tradition for each of his successors, and remains there today.

Legacy[edit]

Kenner died in 1944 and was laid to rest at the Little Lake Cemetery.[21] His legacy continues at Trent University where the Principal H.R.H. Kenner and PCVS Faculty Bursary, established by the PCVS Form 5 graduating class of 1937 with support from the Class of 1939, continues to be awarded to graduates of secondary schools in Peterborough County.[22] Peterborough’s second high school, Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute, opened in 1952 named in his honour.[23]

Kenner was the founding Grand Master of the Peterborough Masons' Arthur Lodge 523 instituted in 1914. He was known as one of their most notable speakers and served again as the Deputy Grand Master from 1924-1925 during the formation of the Masons' Peterborough District.[24] The Peterborough District Masonic Association and Temple are still active today.[25]

In 1999, Kenner was recognized as one of the top ten influential figures who shaped the development of Peterborough in the 20th century.[26]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ General Registration Office (April–June 1867). "England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes" (digital image). England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915. St.Austell, Cornwall, England: FreeBMD. p. 143. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  2. ^ Kenner, Hugh (2002). "Jottings on a Principal". Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School: 175th Anniversary (limited publish book). Peterborough, Ontario: Peterborough Collegiate Foundation.
  3. ^ Beckerlegge, Oliver (1968). United Methodist Ministers and Their Circuits 1797-1932. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ Christopher, Lehmann-Haupt (25 November 2003). "Hugh Kenner, Commentator on Literary Modernism, Dies at 80". New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  5. ^ "Marriages" (digital). St.Thomas Journal. St.Thomas, Ontario. 25 July 1918. p. 7. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  6. ^ Elliot, Andrew (22 January 2011). "Heritage home has been owned by several city notables". Peterborough Examiner. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  7. ^ "BY-LAW NUMBER 05-193". www.peterborough.ca (PDF). The Corporation of the City of Peterborough. 12 September 2005. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  8. ^ Ontario Legislative Assembly (1888). "Legislature of the Province of Ontario". Sessional Papers. 2: 104.
  9. ^ Ontario Legislative Assembly (1890). "Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario". Sessional Papers. 22 (2): 319.
  10. ^ University of Toronto Alumni Association (1944). University of Toronto Monthly. 45 (3). University of Toronto: 88. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ Kenner, Hugh (2002). "Jottings on a Principal". Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School: 175th Anniversary (limited publish book). Peterborough, Ontario: Peterborough Collegiate Foundation.
  12. ^ Kenner, Hugh (2002). "Jottings on a Principal". Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School: 175th Anniversary (limited publish book). Peterborough, Ontario: Peterborough Collegiate Foundation.
  13. ^ Christopher, Lehmann-Haupt (25 November 2003). "Hugh Kenner, Commentator on Literary Modernism, Dies at 80". New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  14. ^ Amer, Jay (28 February 2011). "Peterborough Collegiate Foundation Presentation to Accommodation Review Committee" (PDF). www.kprschools.ca. Peterborough, Ontario: Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. p. 1. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  15. ^ Ferguson, Matt (May 30, 2012). "Peterborough in the Great War". Peterborough Armouries and Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School - Then and Now. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  16. ^ "Honorary Degree Recipients" (PDF). 1850 - 2012. University of Toronto (Committee for Honorary Degrees). December 19, 2012. p. 31. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  17. ^ "Honorary Degree H R H Kenner". Peterborough Museum and Archives. Archived from the original (original paper) on 5 March 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2012. Alt URL
  18. ^ McCormick, Rob, "Alumni recall fond memories of Peterborough's downtown public high school and upholding the PCVS Way". Peterborough Examiner, 26 June 2012
  19. ^ "H R H Kenner Retirement Certificate". Peterborough Museum and Archives. Archived from the original (original paper) on 5 March 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2012. Alt URL
  20. ^ "H R H Kenner Retirement Scroll". Peterborough Museum and Archives. Archived from the original (original paper) on 5 March 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2012. Alt URL
  21. ^ Cemetery Transcriptions: Little Lake, Section V, Peterborough (P217-v). Kawartha Branch: Ontario Genealogical Society.
  22. ^ "Financial Aid and Recognition of Academic Excellence". Academic Calendar. Peterborough, Ontario: Trent University. 2009–2010. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  23. ^ Adams, Peter (27 May 2002). "Kenner Collegiate". Edited Hansard. 1. 37th Parliament (192). Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Parliament of Canada. 192:1410.
  24. ^ R.W. Bro. Robert Collins McBride (December 2010). "Peterborough District A.F. & A.M. History: Royal Arthur Lodge No. 523". Peterborough District's Electronic Beacon (digital). 4 (3). Peterborough District Masonic Association: 13.
  25. ^ "Royal Arthur Lodge #523". District Officers. Peterborough District Masonic Association. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  26. ^ Jones, Elwood (August–November 1999). "They Made a Difference". Heritage Gazette. 3 (2–3). Trent Valley Archives. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
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