Portland's John Neal (1793-1876) epitomized the spirit of 19th century Maine. In his long life he was a boxer, novelist, gymnist, publisher, architect, quarryman, attorney, phrenologist, pro-feminist and America's first art critic.

In 1827, after living in England, Neal settled in his home town, founded the acclaimed, but short-lived, literary magazine, the "Yankee," and helped stimulate an artistic climate that flourished through the Civil War.