John David Kelly

John David Kelly (October15, 1862 December 27, 1958) who signed his work J. D. Kelly was an "enormously popular" that he has been described by the Toronto Globe & Mail as a reconstructor rather than a painter of historical scenes. His work "made history more real to hundreds and thousands of Canadians". and graduating in 1882.

From 1882 to 1885, he worked for the Grip Lithographing firm, then joined the Toronto Lithographing Company, the largest and most advanced lithography firm in the city (it became Rolph-Clark-Stone Ltd), and spent 70 years with the company as its premier calendar artist, retiring in 1955. He was commissioned by the C.P.R to make illustrated maps in the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, the Art Association of Montreal, and the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo (1901). the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Toronto Public Library and Library and Archives Canada which has Push On, brave York volunteers (1896) and also has his fonds. 13 of the prints of the paintings owned by Confederation Life are owned by the Cobourg Museum Foundation. Lithographs are also in the collection of Bridgeman Images. Two murals by Kelly are owned by the Royal York Hotel. There is a heritage plaque in Warkworth that recognizes his life and work as a historical artist.

Personal life One of Kelly's feet was crushed in a logging accident as a young man.