John Michael Skipper

John Michael Skipper (1815–1883) was an English and South Australian artist and solicitor. He was the eldest son of solicitor John Skipper and Jane , whose brother was artist James Stark.

Early life Skipper studied at Norwich Grammar School and was intended to follow his father into law, but his interest in art was encouraged by his uncle. In 1833, he left his study to become a midshipman on the Sherbourne for the East India Company. When he returned, he arranged to be articled to Charles Mann (appointed as the first Advocate-General of South Australia) and emigrate to the new Colony of South Australia on the arriving at Holdfast Bay on 6 November 1836.

Career In South Australia, Skipper was associated with his mentor Charles Mann and lawyer Edward Castres Gwynne. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of South Australia in 1840. leaving five children. Skipper married Frances' younger sister Mary on 28 April 1856 and had two more children with her. Mary died on 28 April 1883 aged 59. Skipper died on 7 December 1883, aged 66, without a will despite having worked in law most of his life.