John Oakman facts for kids
John Oakman (born around 1748, died 1793) was an English artist who created engravings and also wrote books.
Contents
Who Was John Oakman?
John Oakman was born in Hendon, England, around the year 1748. He went to a grammar school for his education. Later, he started learning to be a map-engraver from a man named Emanuel Bowen. However, he left his training early because he fell in love with Bowen's daughter, whom he later married.
His Early Life and Training
After leaving his apprenticeship, John Oakman opened a shop with Matthias Darly. They sold funny pictures called caricatures and other types of prints. But John loved having fun and being with friends so much that he soon needed to find other ways to make money.
Becoming a Writer
John Oakman was good at writing, so he started creating novels. Some of his books included The Life and Adventures of Benjamin Brass (from 1765), which was partly based on his own early life, and The History of Sir Edward Haunch. One of his books, The Adventures of William Williams, an African Prince, became quite popular. This book was special because it spoke out against slavery, a practice John learned about after meeting William Williams in a Liverpool prison. John was a very fast writer; he could finish a two-volume book in just one week!
Music and Art
Besides writing novels, John Oakman also had a talent for writing songs. He wrote many popular songs for famous entertainment spots like Vauxhall Gardens and Bermondsey Spa. He also wrote short musical plays called burlettas for shows at Astley's Amphitheatre. John also used his engraving skills to create illustrations for children's books and other affordable publications.
His Final Years
John Oakman lived a life where he moved around quite a bit. He faced hard times and passed away without much money at his sister's house in Westminster in October 1793. He was buried at Holy Trinity Minories.
