Fell, John (1625–1686)

English clergyman. He was consecrated bishop of Oxford and also held the deanery of Christ Church. He spent large sums of his own money on the building of Christ Church.

He was born in Longworth, now in Oxfordshire. In 1636, he gained a studentship at Christ Church and took orders. During the Civil War he held a commission as ensign for the King, and at the Restoration was made dean of Christ Church and chaplain to the King. He was an extraordinary disciplinarian, encouraged learning and proved himself a capable administrator. He is chiefly remembered for the epigram beginning ‘I do not love you, Dr Fell’, which Thomas Brown composed.