Who was John Fuller?
Many people first learn about John "Mad Jack" Fuller in association with the follies he built in and around Brightling, Sussex, England. These structures stand in testimony to Fuller's desire to be remembered long after his death.
But the follies are not the most important legacy he created. He was a philanthropist, a patron of the arts and sciences and a founding member of the Royal Institution.
The Fullers of Sussex were wealthy ironmasters and owned a vast amount of property, including sugar plantations in Jamaica.
Fuller was a Squire, a Member of Parliament, a captain in the Sussex Militia, and Lieutenant Colonel in the Sussex Yeomanry Cavalry. He was well connected socially and is associated with many notable figures of his day.
Was he 'mad'?
John Fuller has been called eccentric, ebullient, and obstreperous.
Was he larger than life? Yes. Was he mad? No.
