• Name: Fell, Ralph
• Gender: Male
• Occupation: writer

Ralph Fell was a writer who published the Memoirs of the Public Life of the Late Right Honourable Charles James Fox (1808). He also wrote A Tour Through the Batavian Republic during the latter part of the year 1800: containing an account of the revolution and recent events in that country (printed for R. Phillips, 1801) which consisted of a series of letters and opened with the story of Fell's capture by a French privateer on the coast of Yorkshire. The letters are dated from October to December 1800 which fits the evidence of the diary, where Fell is absent from the end of June to the beginning of December 1800.

There is a series of letters in the Abinger Collection which throw some light on Fell's relationship with Godwin (1799-1805). One of the letters (21 December 1805) indicates that he lived on Winchester Street, Pentonville. It appears that Fell asked Godwin for literary advice inquiring as to whether he should write a history of 18th century Europe; if Godwin were to say no, he would write a novel instead (5 April 1799). In November 1799 Fell wrote to Godwin referring to his getting married which Godwin appeared to have opposed, but the diary indicates that Godwin's reservations were ignored and Fell married Sarah Carey/Karre on 5 July 1800. They married at St Dionis Backchurch with James Marshall and Hannah Godwin as witnesses. Fell appears to have angered Godwin with some slight to Coleridge in January 1800. Fell was friendly with Godwin's sister, Hannah, and Louisa Jones. It seems that Hannah employed Miss Sarah Carey/Karre as an apprentice in her business and Fell met her through that connection. Godwin's letter to Hannah, criticising her conduct in relation to the affair, describes Fell as a young man of superlative talents, throwing himself away 'on a creature comparatively worthy only of a dunghill'! MS. Abinger c. 17, fol. 91v. Fell's marriage to Carey, followed by Dibbin's marriage to Louisa Jones led to a cooling in Godwin's relationship with his sister. In a letter in 1801 Fell referred to a manuscript which had been declined by George Robinson, probably an account of the French Revolution as he also denied, in the same letter, Godwin's charge of political apostacy. In 1805, after a period which they seem to have fallen out, Fell wrote to Godwin asking him for £30 as his play had failed to be performed at Drury Lane - this helps cast light on a diary entry for 27 May 1799 where Godwin wrote to Richard B. Sheridan and George Robinson 'pro Fell'.

The Life of Charles Lamb tells us that Godwin introduced Fell to Lamb and they became drinking companions. Lamb also refers to Fell becoming editor of a Naval Chronicle and Fell's debt problems in 1806.

The fact that the 'R Fells' start appearing in 1797 signals that Godwin was distinguishing him from John Fell. This also explains why he is recorded as being a contact first in 1797. John Fell died in 1797 and the absence of noting the death is explained by the date - 7 Sep. This was the period when Wollstonecraft was dying so it is understandable that Godwin failed to note his death. Admittedly, 1798 sees instances of both 'Fell' and 'R Fell' but we suggest that this is simply Godwin adjusting to his new circle of just one Fell. In 1795 and 1796 many of the meetings are linked to Smith who may have been at Hoxton with Godwin. It is much more likely that Smith would have known John, rather than Ralph.

Therefore, all 'Fell's' prior to 1798 have been coded as John Fell (but the two instances of 'Fells' in 1797 will be coded as Ralph - neither man being married and there being evidence in the letters that Godwin knew Ralph's brother, Joseph), and all those after will also be Ralph Fell. After Fell's marriage all meals at Fell's and all Fells have been coded as Ralph and Sarah - however, the possibility that the entries refer that to 'Fells' may be Ralph and Joseph (who has been left uncoded).

There are independent and joint entries to S Fell, Ralph's wife, including in 1815. There are also an S Fell junr entry at the end of that year and another at the beginning of 1816. There are also references in 1801 to J and Jo Fell in 1801 (3) and 1806 (1). There is then a Joseph Fell junr entry in 1822. J Fell entries in the 1800s and after remain uncoded.. It is possible that S Fell junr is a child of Sarah and Ralph Fell.

Godwin recorded his death.

• MS. Abinger c. 4, fols. 94-5: 5 April 1799
• MS. Abinger c. 17, fol. 91r: 11, 13 November 1799
• MS. Abinger c. 5, fols. 9-10: 14 November 1799
• MS. Abinger c. 5, fol. 22: 25 November 1799
• MS. Abinger c. 5, fol. 23: 25 November 1799
• MS. Abinger c. 31, fol. 34: November – December 1799
• MS. Abinger c. 5, fols. 31-2: 6 December 1799
• MS. Abinger c. 5, fols. 61-2: 9 January 1800
• MS. Abinger c. 6, fol. 111: 14 January 1800
• MS. Abinger c. 6, fol. 112: 15 January 1800
• MS. Abinger c. 6, fols. 114-5: 10 December 1800
• MS. Abinger c. 6, fols.129-30: 17 January 1801
• MS. Abinger c. 7, fols. 47-8: 8 July 1801
• MS. Abinger c. 9, fols. 29r & 30v: 24 August 1805
• MS. Abinger c. 9, fols. 29v-30r: 25 August 1805
• MS. Abinger c. 9, fol. 61: 31 December 1805
• Ralph Fell, A Tour Through the Batavian Republic During the Latter Part of the Year 1800 (London: R. Phillips, 1801)

This table lists the people this person is most frequently noted with in the diary.