Fredrick Rendell Burnette

From his humble beginnings as a painter, Frederick had an interest in theatrical performances. He became a conjurer and showman, well known in the west of England as “Professor Burnette, The Modern Magician”. Fredrick married twice, with both of his wives being theatrical performers. His second wife, Emily D’Arc was the sister of William D’Arc who was also a performer and shareholder of the Picture House. Fredrick’s varied occupations show that he had a wide skill set. He was also a very astute businessman, becoming manager of several Cinemas and the owner of the Theatre de Luxe in Rothesay.

Allanna Brough (May 2017)

Biography File: People of the Picture House
Full Name	Frederick Rendell Burnette
Maiden name / other names	Born: Samuel John Rendell Career name: Professor Burnette
Birth date	1860	Birth place: Maiden Newton, Dorset
Death date	June 10th 1940	Death place: Rosemount Cottage, Ardbeg Road, Rothesay
Father’s full name	Thomas John Rendell Occupation: Blacksmith
Mother’s full name (maiden name in brackets)	Sarah Green
Spouse(s)	(1) Jessie Rose Cottle, married St Peter’s Church, Twerton, Somerset 1884 (2) Emily D’Arc, married Blythswood, Glasgow 1938
Children	Jessie Emily Jane christened 1884 Twerton, Hettie Ellen christened 1886 Bath, Marie Dorothy christened 1889 Roadhill Victor Burnette christened 1889 Twerton Grace Mona christened 1891 Bath Daisy May christened 1892 Bath Herbert Alford Dore christened 1894 Bath
Places of residence	Born Maiden Newton, Dorset 1861 Census: Frome, Vauchurch 1871 Census: Dorchester 1909 12 Douglas Street, Glasgow 1914 421 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow 1915 22 Hamilton Drive, Glasgow 1920 Hamilton Drive, Glasgow 1920 22 Hamilton Place, Glasgow 1926 Hope St, Glasgow 1940 Rosemount Cottage, Rothesay
Occupation history	1884 Painter 1886 Musician 1886: Wizard 1889 Legerdemain 1891 Professional 1892 Conjurer 1893: Western Mail Newspaper article: “Professor Burnette’s Great Living Marvels and Stage Performances” 1893: Performed at D’Arc’s theatre, Cardiff 1894 Actor 1900: Conjuror 1906 Traveller 1909 Electrical Engineer 1911 – 1914 Photographer at 55 Argyll St, Glasgow 1911 Manager Argyll Electric Theatre Glasgow 1911 Manager at Theater De Luxe, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow 1912 Manager at Theatre De Luxe, Rothesay 1912 Manager at Partick Picture House, Glasgow 1912 Managing Director Campbeltown Picture House 1914 Electrical Engineer 1914 Commissions film made for Campbeltown Picture House showing 6, 7, and 9th Battalion of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders marching up from the Old Quay 1914 Commissions film for Rothesay Cinema showing Bute Territorials departing for war on Clyde Steamers 1917 Engineer 1920 Founded the Mystic Twelve magic club in Glasgow (motto: Fraternity, Fidelity and Progress) 1920 Photographer, 55 & 186 Argyll St, Glasgow. Office 108 Renfield St, Glasgow. 1924 Elected Honorary President of Scottish Conjurers Association
External source references (e.g. census, BMD, valuation rolls, probate index, wills, parish records etc.) include ref. numbers	Dorset Church of England Baptisms Somerset Church of England Baptisms Somerset Marriage Registers UK Census Collection Lanarkshire Electoral Rolls Statutory Registers Death 558/97 Scottish Conjurers Association Early Cinema in Scotland/Glasgow University Pollokshields Heritage Glasgow Annual Post Office Directory 1920
CPH archive or object collection reference	Shareholders Ledger
Other notes	The earliest listing found naming Frederick Rendell Burnette as “Professor Burnette” is from the Western Gazette and The Shepton Mallet Journal, dated 3 September 1868 where he is described as a “Wizard”. In 1888 he was presenting his show of “Parisian Wonders” and his “Cabinet of Mystery” both listed in The Weston Super Mare Gazette. In the same newspaper dated 20 October 1888, he is listed as a Mind Reader. By 1891, listed in the Gloucester Citizen, he is presenting a show called “She at the Stake”.

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