[2] Born in Shelton (now Stoke-on-Trent), and educated at Jesus College, Cambridge,[3] for a time he acted as secretary to the Charles Boyle, 4th Earl of Orrery in Flanders, and was then Master of Sevenoaks Grammar School.
He later became tutor to Sir William Trumbull's son at Easthampstead Park in Berkshire and is now best known as the assistant of his neighbour, Alexander Pope, in his translation of the Odyssey, of which he 'Englished' the first, fourth, nineteenth, and twentieth books, catching the manner of his master so completely that it is hardly possible to distinguish between their work; while thus engaged he published (1723) a successful tragedy, Mariamne.
His later contributions to literature were a Life of John Milton, and as an editor of Edmund Waller's Poems (1729).
This reads:- To the memory of Elijah Fenton of Shelton in Staffordshire, who dyed at Easthampstead Anno 1730, aged forty seven years.
This modest stone what few vain marbles can May truly say, here lies an honest man A poet blest beyond the poets fate Whom heav'n left sacred from the proud and great Foe to loud praise and friend to learned ease Content with science in the vale of peace Calmly he look'd on either life & here Saw nothing to regret, or there to fear From natur's temp'rate feast rose satisfy'd Thank'd heav'n that he had liv'd and that he dy'd.