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Humphrey Repton (1752-1818) was
an English landscape designer and gardening expert, often regarded as the natural successor to Capability Brown.
He was born in Bury St Edmunds, the son of a tax collector, and,
despite his family's wish to see him become a merchant in Norwich, Repton was
determined to study botany, gardening
and entomology and establish a career where he could exploit these
interests.
He was a pioneer of the "picturesque" style of garden design which ended the vogue for formal gardens. In the late 18th
century, he worked extensively with architect John Nash seeking to produce harmonious designs where the
building fitted the surrounding landscape.
He published a book Sketches and Hints on Landscape Gardening in 1795 and
Observations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening in 1803. He based
these books on lessons learned from the 'Red Books' he prepared for his clients, showing the transition of his designs (including
'before' and 'after' sketches).
Repton designed the gardens of many of England's foremost stately homes:
Repton died in 1818 and is buried in the churchyard at Aylsham in Norfolk.
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