James Hakewill (Born 1778) was the second son of John Hakewill. He loved art from a tender age and knew that his career would be in the arts industry. He went ahead and studied architecture and later entered the architectural field as his chief profession. He was also a proficient painter and, on at least two occasions, he managed to exhibit some of his designs at the Royal Academy of Art. However, he is, best known for his publications that are illustrated, including the sketches of Italy, Windsor, and Jamaica. In 1816, he traveled to Italy and on his return in the following year, he published in parts a book titled “A Picturesque Tour of Italy.“ this book had some of his own drawings that were engraved by Turner. In 1820, Hakewill came to Jamaica and remained there until 1821.
Subsequently, he published “A Picturesque Tour of the Island of Jamaica” in 1825, from his own drawings. During his almost two years’ stay in Jamaica, he did not restrict himself to Kingston and its surroundings but he travelled to many places including parishes. some of the his prints in the collection of the National Library include The Bog Walk, Montego Bay from Reading Hill , Willams Field Estate, St. Thomas-in-the-Vale, Whitney Estate, Clarendon, The property of Viscount Dudley and Ward, Cardiff Hall, St. Ann’s, Spring Garden, St. George’s. The Property of I.R. Grossett Esquire, Holland Estate, St. Thomas-in-the-East, Waterfall on Windward Road near Kingston, Kingston and Port Royal from Windsor Farm, Bridge over the Rio Cobre, King’s Square. St. Jago De La Vega, among others.
