One of the most famous artists of Victorian times was born and raised in Haydon Bridge. This was John Martin, the 13th child of Fenwick and Isabella Martin. He was born and baptised on 19th July 1789 at East Land Ends farm.

‘By birth’ he was later to write, ‘my station could scarcely have been humbler than it was. My father’s disposition kept the family exceedingly poor’. Born and brought up among the landscapes of the Tyne Valley and the hills and moors which surround it, he would later use these for inspiration when painting his renowned and spectacular works. His first painting was of his grandmother’s cat which was on an old piece of canvas he had found in the ruins of nearby Langley Castle.

Martin studied at the local free grammar school, and after a short and unsuccessful apprenticeship in Newcastle, Martin moved to London at the age of 17 to pursue a career in art. He was soon to win the acclaim of the art world, at the time rivalling the great JMW Turner with his epic works on mainly biblical and classic themes. He also took part in the capital’s scientific and intellectual life, and devoted much of his time to scientific and engineering projects, largely without great success.

He continued working into his sixties, producing some of his most distinguished works in the latter part of his life. In 1854, after suffering a stroke while visiting the Isle of Man, he died at the age of 64.

Martin’s birthplace cottage still stands on the outskirts of the village, and you can find much more on Martin the visionary and his somewhat eccentric family at www.wojm.org.uk.