John Ward was born in Belfast and was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. In 1847 he entered the family firm of printers and publishers and studied at the Belfast School of Art and Design. From 1876 he travelled in Europe and Egypt, and devoted his time to collecting Greek coins and Egyptian scarabs. He wrote many works concerning Egypt including Pyramids and Progress; Sketches from Egypt and The Sacred Beetle. He painted many water-colours and exhibited under the name of Bonnington Smith. He was member of the Belfast Ramblers' Sketching Club, and changed its name to the Belfast Art Society. He contributed to 'Notes and Queries' and 'The Irish Book Lover'. He died in Kent.

Born:	1832
Died:	1912