John Atlantic Stephenson (born 18 June 1829) was a Tyneside businessman and poet and amateur artist in the latter half of the 19th century.
[1][2] He started work at Sowerby’s Glass Works,[3] manufacturers of fine decorative glass items, at Gateshead and later moved on to a responsible post as representative for John Rogerson and Co. (who it is believed were brokers and shipping agents) He was a founder member of the Bewick Club[4] and held the post of honorary treasurer in the 1890s.
He was an active member speaking at meetings, his humour mimicry and use of the local dialects of Tyneside, Wearside, Teesside and Northumberland made him very popular and in great demand.
His father, also John Stephenson, was well known locally holding a responsible job as a superintendent in the Tyneside chemical industry.
In the 1841 census, the family were living at Peak Hill (now Ravenscar), Stainton Dale, North Riding of Yorkshire where father was described as an agent for Peek Alum Works.