Capability Brown

Lancelot "Capability" Brown was an architect and landscape gardener, who was noted for planning a naturalistic type of garden for the great houses of England with vistas of trees, lakes and flower-beds. He earned his nickname from his saying, when called in to consult on the new laying out of a gentleman’s grounds, “I see great capability of improvement here.”

Born in 1716 in Kirkharle, Northumberland (baptised August 30, 1716), Brown was the son of a land agent (father) and a chambermaid (mother). 

Educated locally until the age of 16, Brown's schooling likely focused on basic skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic.

At 16, he took a crucial step towards his future – an apprenticeship as a gardener at Kirkharle Hall, the estate his father worked for. This hands-on experience laid the foundation for his practical knowledge of plants and gardening techniques.

In 1739, Brown moved south and secured a position as under-gardener at Stowe, the magnificent estate of Lord Cobham.

Brown's talent and ambition were recognized, and he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the Head Gardener by 1741.

Stowe provided Brown with a crucial platform. Here, he not only honed his gardening skills but also experimented with landscape design, shaping the estate's grounds and removing or constructing features according to his vision. A notable creation from this period is the Grecian Valley, showcasing his innovative approach.

Brown's signature style emerged – natural-looking landscapes with sweeping lawns, serpentine lakes, and strategically placed trees. He aimed to create idyllic scenes that blurred the lines between the house and the surrounding countryside.

Brown became highly sought-after, designing landscapes for numerous prestigious estates across England, including Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth House, and Burghley House. He wasn't just a designer; he provided a complete service, overseeing construction, planting, and overall execution.

Brown's approach wasn't without critics. Some argued that his landscapes, while beautiful, lacked the formality and variety of earlier styles. However, his popularity remained unchallenged during his lifetime.

He designed over 170 parks, many of which still endure.

 
Brown died on February 6, 1783, in Hertford Street, London, on the doorstep of his daughter Bridget, who had married the architect Henry Holland.

Brown's popularity declined rapidly after his death, because his work was seen as a feeble imitation of wild nature. During the nineteenth century he was widely criticized, but during the twentieth century his popularity returned as a result of a favorable account of his talent in Marie-Luise Gothein's History of Garden Art.