John O’Connor (1913-2004) studied at the Royal College of Art from 1933 through to 1937. His teachers at this time were Eric Ravilious, John Nash and Robert Austin. On a visit to Eric Ravilious’s home at Bank House, Castle Hedingham in Essex, O’Connor was charmed by the directness of the wood-engraving technique, and by the simple domestic scene in which Ravilious engraved by a lamp. It was due to Ravilious that O’Connor got his first commission to illustrate 'Here’s Flowers' for the Golden Cockerel Press in 1937. After the war, O'Connor became head of the Colchester School of Art in 1948. He was affectionately known as ‘Joc’ to his students (often signing his wood engravings such). His colleagues included John Nash, and Edward Bawden. In 1964 O’Connor retired from teaching full time at Colchester, to concentrate on painting and engraving, but did teach part time at St Martin’s School of Art. In the 1950s and 60s, O’Connor exhibited at the Zwemmer Gallery, in London, and had many exhibitions throughout Britain. His work was purchased by the Arts Council, the Tate Gallery, the British Museum and the Contemporary Art Society.