John O'Connor (1913-2004), a romantic but also a realist, recorded old endangered things, high and low: churches, canals, barges, dilapidated barns and garden sheds. With a keen eye, sure hand and way with words, he drew, engraved, painted and described what he valued most around him. Talkative, friendly as a teacher, humorous and hard-working, his curiosity about his fellow human beings and affection for, and knowledge of all things English, drove much of his best work. He enjoyed the process of engraving into his 90s, illustrating articles for The Oldie.

A scholarship from Leicester Art School took him to the Royal College of Art in 1933 where his tutors were Eric Ravilious, and John Nash RA who shared his interest in plants and gardening. Illustrated with family photographs and reproductions of his father's work, this biographical account by his son, Michael O'Connor (Mike), was still unfinished when Mike died in 2021. It has been edited and seen into print by Josie, Mike's daughter.