Prout, John Skinner

An architectural illustrator and painter. Born in Plymouth and nephew of Samuel Prout (Topographical illustrator, drawing master and water colourist). John specialised in similar subjects to his uncle but was practically self-taught. Travelled to Australia, where he visited Sydney and Hobart. Settled in Bristol after 1849, later moving to London where he died in Camden Town in 1876. His illustrations covered not only major cities and smaller towns, but also farming, agriculture, farm animals, horses, cattle, sheep, and mining of gold and other natural resources, along with fascinating portraits of aborigines. Contributed to “Australia Illustrated”, by Edwin Carton Booth, which was one of the last books to include steel engravings.