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. For a brief stint Humphrey worked as a secretary to William Windham, the current Lord Lieutenant for Ireland. Shortly there after he departed for Essex and began his goal of becoming The primer Landscape Gardener for England. His main competitor of the time was Capability Brown; Repton is considered the successor to Brown due to time and garden thought. He sent many letters to old comrades asking if he could improve upon their landscape. As a way to help these clients visualize Humphrey’s designs he used a system of sliding panels that would show before and after paintings of the proposed garden space. This kept a steady line of work for him. Humphrey Repton invented many of the phrases we use today to describe the profession and aspects of Landscape Architecture.

Ideally Humphrey tried to capitalize on the natural beauty inherent in the gardens. He did not follow old notions of the structure and composition of the garden. 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.

An avid reader Repton published many articles and five books dedicated to the philosophy and application of gardening. 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). Passing away in 1818 Repton is now buried in the Churchyard in Aylsham, Norfolk. During his career Repton completed over 400 projects, including some for the Dukes of Portland and Bedford.

Repton designed the gardens of many of England's foremost country houses:

• Bayham Abbey Picture: [1]
• Burley-on-the-Hill
• Clumber Park Picture: [2]
• Cobham Hall
• Dyrham Park
• Endsleigh House
• Grovelands Park
• Harewood House
• Hatchlands Park
• Longleat House Picture: [3]
• Plas Newydd
• Rode Hall Picture: [[4]]
• Royal Pavilion at Brighton
• Sheringham Park
• Tatton Park
• Uppark Picture: [5]
• West Wycombe
• Woburn Abbey

External links

References

• Britain Express. "Humphrey Repton"
• Guthrie, Melva B. "Humphrey Repton"
• Perry, Jason. "Humphrey Repton"

Pictures

• About Britain. "Bayham Abbey"
• Great British Gardens. "Clumber Park, Worksop"
• Grewe, Arwin Homepage. "Longleat House"
• Randolph Caldecott Society. "Rode Hall"
• Landscape Architecture University of Oregon. "Humphrey Repton"