Henry Rowe Hocking Kenner Explained

Honorific Prefix:Dr.
Henry Rowe Hocking Kenner
Honorific Suffix:B.A., LL.D.
Birth Date:28 March 1867
Birth Place:Mevagissey, Cornwall, England
Death Date:1944
Death Place:Peterborough, Ontario
Resting Place:Little Lake Cemetery
Education:Bachelor of Arts
Alma Mater:University of Toronto
Occupation:Principal
Employer:Peterborough Board of Education
Spouse:Mary Isobel (Williams) Kenner
Children:Hugh Kenner
Parents: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

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

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]

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

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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes. England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915. FreeBMD. 28 April 2013. General Registration Office. St.Austell, Cornwall, England. 143. digital image. April–June 1867.
  2. Kenner. Hugh. Jottings on a Principal. Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School: 175th Anniversary. 2002. Peterborough Collegiate Foundation. Peterborough, Ontario. limited publish book.
  3. Beckerlegge. Oliver. United Methodist Ministers and Their Circuits 1797-1932. 1968.
  4. News: Christopher. Lehmann-Haupt. Hugh Kenner, Commentator on Literary Modernism, Dies at 80. 28 April 2013. New York Times. 25 November 2003.
  5. News: Marriages. 28 April 2013. St.Thomas Journal. 25 July 1918. St.Thomas, Ontario. 7. digital.
  6. News: Elliot. Andrew. Heritage home has been owned by several city notables. 28 April 2013. Peterborough Examiner. 22 January 2011.
  7. Web site: BY-LAW NUMBER 05-193. www.peterborough.ca. The Corporation of the City of Peterborough. 28 April 2013. PDF. 12 September 2005.
  8. Legislature of the Province of Ontario. Sessional Papers. 1888. 2. 104. Ontario Legislative Assembly.
  9. Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario. Sessional Papers. 1890. 22. 2. 319. Ontario Legislative Assembly.
  10. University of Toronto Monthly. 1944. 45. 3. 88. University of Toronto. University of Toronto Alumni Association.
  11. Kenner. Hugh. Jottings on a Principal. Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School: 175th Anniversary. 2002. Peterborough Collegiate Foundation. Peterborough, Ontario. limited publish book.
  12. Kenner. Hugh. Jottings on a Principal. Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School: 175th Anniversary. 2002. Peterborough Collegiate Foundation. Peterborough, Ontario. limited publish book.
  13. News: Christopher. Lehmann-Haupt. Hugh Kenner, Commentator on Literary Modernism, Dies at 80. 28 April 2013. New York Times. 25 November 2003.
  14. Web site: Amer. Jay. Peterborough Collegiate Foundation Presentation to Accommodation Review Committee. www.kprschools.ca. Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. 28 April 2013. Peterborough, Ontario. 1. 28 February 2011.
  15. Web site: Ferguson. Matt. Peterborough in the Great War. Peterborough Armouries and Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School - Then and Now. 28 April 2013. May 30, 2012.
  16. Web site: Honorary Degree Recipients. 1850 - 2012. University of Toronto (Committee for Honorary Degrees). 28 April 2013. 31. December 19, 2012.
  17. Web site: Honorary Degree H R H Kenner. Peterborough Museum and Archives. October 12, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120305061745/http://www.peterboroughmuseumandarchives.ca/educates.htm. 5 March 2012. original paper. 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. Web site: H R H Kenner Retirement Certificate. Peterborough Museum and Archives. October 12, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120305061745/http://www.peterboroughmuseumandarchives.ca/educates.htm. 5 March 2012. original paper. Alt URL
  20. Web site: H R H Kenner Retirement Scroll. Peterborough Museum and Archives. October 12, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120305061745/http://www.peterboroughmuseumandarchives.ca/educates.htm. 5 March 2012. original paper. Alt URL
  21. Book: Cemetery Transcriptions: Little Lake, Section V, Peterborough (P217-v). Ontario Genealogical Society. Kawartha Branch.
  22. Web site: Financial Aid and Recognition of Academic Excellence. Academic Calendar. Trent University. 28 April 2013. Peterborough, Ontario. 2009–2010.
  23. Adams. Peter. Kenner Collegiate. Edited Hansard. 27 May 2002. 37th Parliament. 1. 192. Statement By Members. 192:1410. Parliament of Canada. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
  24. Peterborough District A.F. & A.M. History: Royal Arthur Lodge No. 523. Peterborough District's Electronic Beacon. December 2010. 4. 3. 13. R.W. Bro. Robert Collins McBride. Peterborough District Masonic Association. digital.
  25. Web site: Royal Arthur Lodge #523. District Officers. Peterborough District Masonic Association. 28 April 2013.
  26. Jones. Elwood. They Made a Difference. Heritage Gazette. August–November 1999. 3. 2–3. 28 April 2013. Trent Valley Archives.

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