John White (colonist and Artist) - Early Life

Early Life

John White's exact date of birth is unknown but it seems likely he was born some time between 1540 and 1550. There is a record dated February 22, 1539 of a christening in the Church of St Augustine, London of a "John White" on that same day; but there is no proof this is the same person. White is known to have attended church in the parish of St. Martin Ludgate in London. In 1566 he married Tomasyn Cooper; with whom he had a son, Tom, who died young, and a daughter Eleanor. Little is known of White's training as an artist but it is possible that he apprenticed as an illustrator under a London master.