Croydon Connections

John Ruskin was born in London but spent much of his early life in Croydon. He was an author, poet and artist but became known for his work as an art and social critic. He was responsible for the popularity of artists Mallord and Turner and the pre-Raphaelite movement (a group of artists who preferred the Flemish and Italian art style and who disliked the rather 'sloppy' style of Sir Joshua Reynolds, founder of the Royal Academy of Art).

John Ruskin was awarded a prize for his poetry while at Oxford University (Christ Church College) and this is where he met Turner. His work brought him in touch with many artists of the time, if fact when his marriage to Effie Gray was annulled Millais went on to marry her.

Ruskin taught first at the Working Men's College in London and returned to Oxford University to teach as Slade Professor of Art. He inspired the Arts and Crafts Movement and founded the National Trust and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

When his father died he became a wealthy man but believed he could not be a socialist and be rich too, so he gave most of his wealth away to Educational organisations – one being the John Ruskin Primary School in Camberwell.