John Frost (1784-1877), political convict, became a radical agitator while working as a draper and tailor in his native Newport, Monmouthshire. He had already been gaoled for libel when he became Mayor of Newport in 1836. In late 1839 he led a band of Chartist miners in an armed attack in Newport; arrested, he was sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered, but was sent to Hobart Town instead. Arriving in 1840, he was treated as a political prisoner, with special privileges including clerical employment. Later, he became a schoolmaster, and was commended for doing well in the role. After working in various locations, he received a conditional pardon in 1854 and duly sailed for America. Returning to England two years later, he lectured and published on the Horrors of Convict Life (1856) and penned A Letter to the People of Great Britain and Ireland on Transportation (1857). He lived for another twenty years, becoming less political and more spiritual as time wore on.
The Gallery will be open until 9pm this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
