As 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of JMW Turner’s birth, there remains significant uncertainty regarding the actual date. Official records confirm only his baptism on May 14, 1775. During a recent discussion at the National Maritime Museum, curator Pieter van der Merwe discussed these ambiguities, noting that the purported birth site is now a pub that is taking part in the celebrations. The pub has commissioned a mural celebrating Turner and even produced a special beer, combining art and history in a unique way to honor this iconic figure.
While Turner's claimed birth date of April 23 aligns him with Shakespeare, official records only confirm his baptism on May 14, 1775.
Pieter van der Merwe noted that the only certainty in Turner's origins is his baptism; the true site of his birth is now a pub.
To celebrate Turner, the Porterhouse pub commissioned a mural map of his London and created a special beer, encouraging patrons to explore historically.
Despite uncertainty surrounding Turner's birthdate, the 250th anniversary in 2025 is still a cause for celebration among fans and historians alike.
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