John O'Connor (painter)

Born in 1830 in County Londonderry, the third son of Francis O’Connor and his wife, Rose Cunningham of Bath, he was left an orphan at the age of twelve.

His grandson Terence George, by his son John Peter, married Angela Mary O'Connor (née Ashford) – the sister of Daisy Ashford – the young author of the famous book The Young Visiters.

1888 saw John O'Connor's health start to fail through heart disease, and he finally died at Heathcroft, Yately, Hampshire on 23 May 1889.

In 1879 he was invited by Richard D'Oyly Carte to provide the London settings for a new Gilbert and Sullivan opera, The Pirates of Penzance (1880).

The settings were so well admired that O'Connor was asked to be scenic designer for the next Gilbert & Sullivan production of Patience.

John O'Connor, A.R.H.A.
From Pentonville Road looking west evening , 1884. Museum of London.