Tag Archives: William Gilpin

Edward Lear and his floral inventions

Posted on 23/08/2025 by The Garden History Blog

Years ago, in another life, I was head teacher of a school in north London. Our playground was on the site of the birthplace of Edward Lear, so the children and I got to know a lot about him when … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged aviary, Capability Brown, chiswick, Earl of Derby, Edward Lear, Edward Stanley, Gardener's Chronicle, glasshouses, menagerie, Tower of London, William Gilpin | Leave a comment

With Torrington to Tintern…

Posted on 24/11/2018 by The Garden History Blog

Colonel the Honourable John Byng was just another younger son of another not-very-well-known 18thc aristocratic family. He followed the normal route for younger sons, choosing the army over the navy or church and ended up as a minor government tax … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Buck, Capability Brown, cheltenham, Chepstow, Grand Tour, henry holland, John Byng, Piercefield, Southill, Sudely Castle, Tintern, Turner, Viscount Torrington, Vitruvius Brittanicus, Wales, William Gilpin | 1 Comment

The Picturesque Traveller discovers Wales

Posted on 07/04/2018 by The Garden History Blog

A few months ago I wrote about the change in attitudes to ‘wilderness’ and ‘untamed’ landscapes in the 18thc in a post concentrating on the Lake District. This week I want to turn to Wales which became another 18thc scenic landscape … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Celtic Revival, Druids, Lake District, Paul Sandby, Richard Wilson, Romanticism, Stowe, Thomas Pennant, Wales, Watkin Williams-Wynn, William Gilpin | 1 Comment

The Picturesque Traveller discovers the Lakes

Posted on 04/11/2017 by The Garden History Blog

Last week’s post about Anthony Devis showed how our understanding and appreciation of the landscape has changed radically over the centuries. Until the beginning of the 18thc wilderness and untamed nature, was generally unappreciated with most art, literature and aesthetic taste … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged celia fiennes, claude glass, Grand Tour, jane austen, Lake District, Picturesque, tourism, William Gilpin, wordsworth | Leave a comment

Anthony Devis: Georgian topographical artist

Posted on 28/10/2017 by The Garden History Blog

No it’s not a repeat. It’s true there was a post about the 18thc artist Arthur Devis a few month ago but this one is about his half-brother Anthony. While Arthur specialised in conversation piece portraits Anthony turned to topography and became … Continue reading →