John Martin
Painter
Romantic painter and engraver whose works included "The Seventh Plague of Egypt" and "The Great Day of His Wrath," which was part of his "The Last Judgment" trilogy of paintings.
He became a painting apprentice of Boniface Musso in 1806. He needed additional income, so he started painting sepia watercolours. His first attempt at being featured in the Royal Academy came in 1810, but the Academy rejected it.
He developed engineering plans for the improvement of London's railway and sewers, including the Thames embankment.
He was born in a one-room family cottage to former fencing master, Fenwick Martin. His brother William became an inventor, his brother Richard a doctor, and his brother Jonathan a rather intheir preacher. He had six children with his wife, Susan Martin.
His painting, "Belshazzar's Feast," served as literary inspiration for Charlotte Bronte.