Born in Norwich, Skipper joined the East India Company as a young man and served on the Sherbourne (ship). Skipper was interested in art from an early age and was encouraged by his uncle James Stark, a noted landscape painter. During his time at sea Skipper kept a journal which he illustrated with sketches. In 1836 he immigrated to South Australia, arriving on the Africaine (ship) 6 November. On the voyage Skipper met Frances Thomas, whose father Robert was to establish South Australia's first newspaper, the South Australian gazette and colonial register. They married in December 1839.

In South Australia Skipper commenced his legal career and was articled to Charles Mann the Advocate-General and Crown Solicitor of South Australia and later worked with EC Gwynne. Skipper was admitted as an attorney and proctor of the South Australian Supreme Court in March 1840. He continued his artistic pursuits however, and sketched many scenes depicting the early years of European settlement in South Australia. Skipper's satirical watercolour of Pioneers landing at Port Adelaide in 1839 mocks the primitive conditions which new settlers found when they arrived in the colony. See also,First execution in South Australia, in 1838, for shooting Sheriff Smart for a onsite sketch.

Skipper spent several years at the Victorian goldfields in 1850 and 1851. On his return to South Australia he was appointed clerk of the Local Court of Port Adelaide; a position he held until his retirement. Skipper's sketches and paintings provide a valuable record of life in South Australia from 1836. His key achievements include his arrival to South Australia 1836 articled to Charles Mann, Advocate-General and Crown Solicitor, admitted as attorney and proctor of the South Australian Supreme Court March 1840, clerk of the Local Court of Port Adelaide 1852-1872.

Skipper is known for his tiny detailed sketches in the margins of his diaries and published books in his possession. The State Library of South Australia holds several examples including Psellus' dialogue on the operation of daemons and South Australian almanack and general directory for 1841. These items can be requested and viewed in the State Library's Somerville Reading Room, or see some examples in SA Memory, Foundation Documents, Skipper Almanacs.

Mary Thomas, daughter of early pioneers and printing press operators, Robert and Mary Thomas, later became the second wife of Skipper. She often refers to him in her diary (PRG 1160/6, p. 28);

Nov. 14, 1844. I sat to John [Skipper] for my likeness in oils.

Skipper, John Michael, 1815-1883

Thomas, Mary, 1823-1881

Register Newspapers Ltd. The late J.M. Skipper : a pioneer coloniest of 1836, [Adelaide, 1883]

Skipper, John Michael. Personal papers, PRG 72

Skipper, S. H. John Michael Skipper : biographical notes, Adelaide : Pioneers' Association of South Australia, 1957

South Australian almanack and general directory for 1841, Adelaide : Robert Thomas & Co., 1841 [includes pen sketches by J.M. Skipper]

Australian Dictionary of Biography Online Search for Skipper, John Michael

South Australian gazette and colonial register

SA Memory, Foundation Documents, Skipper Almanacs

SA Memory, Foundation Documents, First execution in South Australia, in 1838, for shooting Sheriff Smart

South Australian Museum John Michael Skipper Archival collection