Dexter W. Fellows was a showman who became business agent and later Publicity Director for the world-famous Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, which with he traveled all over the United States. Following his retirement from show business, he relocated to New Britain, CT and continued to pursue his lifelong love of the circus by collecting memorabilia, pictures, and stories from his many years with 'The Greatest Show on Earth'. He assembled a collection of circus photos and other items which is now on display in the Henneke Archives of Performing Arts located in the McFarlin Library of the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma. He teamed up with Andrew Freeman to write his autobiography and memoirs, entitled 'This Way To The Big Show - The Life of Dexter W. Fellows', which was published in 1936, a year before his death. During World War II, one of the famous 'Liberty Ships' of the US Merchant Marine was named after him. The 'Dexter W. Fellows' was launched on June 16, 1944 and went into service in the North Atlantic. Mr. Fellows is buried alongside his wife in Fairview Cemetery, New Britain, CT. His gravestone is shaped like the 'Big Top' and features a sculpture of an elephant, fitting symbols of the circus which to which he devoted so many years of his life.
In 1965, Mr. Fellows was inducted into the Circus Hall of Fame.
In 1965, Mr. Fellows was inducted into the Circus Hall of Fame.
Dexter W. Fellows was a showman who became business agent and later Publicity Director for the world-famous Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, which with he traveled all over the United States. Following his retirement from show business, he relocated to New Britain, CT and continued to pursue his lifelong love of the circus by collecting memorabilia, pictures, and stories from his many years with 'The Greatest Show on Earth'. He assembled a collection of circus photos and other items which is now on display in the Henneke Archives of Performing Arts located in the McFarlin Library of the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma. He teamed up with Andrew Freeman to write his autobiography and memoirs, entitled 'This Way To The Big Show - The Life of Dexter W. Fellows', which was published in 1936, a year before his death. During World War II, one of the famous 'Liberty Ships' of the US Merchant Marine was named after him. The 'Dexter W. Fellows' was launched on June 16, 1944 and went into service in the North Atlantic. Mr. Fellows is buried alongside his wife in Fairview Cemetery, New Britain, CT. His gravestone is shaped like the 'Big Top' and features a sculpture of an elephant, fitting symbols of the circus which to which he devoted so many years of his life.
In 1965, Mr. Fellows was inducted into the Circus Hall of Fame.
In 1965, Mr. Fellows was inducted into the Circus Hall of Fame.
Inscription
"He made the hearts of children leap,
He made both young and old
Their faith in childhood memories keep
By circus tales he told."
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