John O'Connor (1913-2004), a romantic but also a realist, recorded old endangered things, high and low: churches, canals, barges, dilapidated barns and garden sheds. With a keen eye, sure hand and way with words, he drew, engraved, painted and described what he valued most around him. Talkative, friendly as a teacher, humorous and hard-working, his curiosity about his fellow human beings and affection for, and knowledge of all things English,...