John Venning (1776–1858) was an English merchant, and a philanthropist interested in
prison reform in Russia, where he was in business.
Life
Born at
Totnes,
Devon, on 20 May 1776, he was the son of Walter Venning, a merchant, by his wife Mary Ann. He was educated at
Totnes grammar school
King Edward VI Community College (KEVICC) is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form located in Totnes, Devon, England. It is located in the Dart Valley on the A385 Ashburton Road and serves Totnes and the surrounding area. It has a lar ...
, and at age 14 was placed in the counting-house of Messrs. Jackson & Co., a firm of Russia merchants in London.
Venning went to
St. Petersburg in 1793, and made as successful career there as a merchant. His interest in the condition of Russian prisons was aroused by his brother
Walter Venning; and in 1819, on the foundation of the St. Petersburg Society for the Improvement of Prisons, he became its treasurer. After his brother's death in 1821, he visited prisons in Sweden, Germany, France, and England. He made reports and suggestions, which he submitted to the Russian government, meeting both
Alexander I and
Nicholas I. In addition to prison reforms, he worked for improvements in
lunatic asylums.
In 1830, Venning settled in
Norfolk, where he took part in benevolent and evangelical work. He died at
Norwich on 11 April 1858.
Family
Venning was married on 13 September, 1805 to the daughter of James Meybohm, a merchant of St. Petersburg. She survived him and left children.
See also
Richard Knill
Richard Knill (14 April 1787 – 2 January 1857) was an English missionary.
Life
He was born at Braunton, Devon, on 14 April 1787, the fourth child of Richard Knill, a carpenter (died 15 December 1826), and Mary Tucker (died 1826). In 1804 he en ...
Notes
Attribution
{{DEFAULTSORT:Venning, John
1776 births
1858 deaths
English merchants
Prison reformers
People from Totnes