Brief Biography-James Arthur O'Connor was born in Dublin. His father was a printseller and engraver, whom it is said possibly tutored James and not William Sadler as is widely believed. Sadler gave him a couple of lessons; however, it is likely that James was mostly self-taught. In 1813 he went to England with George Petrie and Francis Danby. After a short while, James left them behind to return home to look after his little sisters who were orphans. He did some work in the west of Ireland before returning to England in 1822. James later paid visits to Brussels, Paris and the Rhine Valley. He exhibited in London and at the RHA. In the last few years of his life, his eyesight slowly failed. He died in 1841.