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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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John Vanbrugh
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(1664–1726, kt 1714) English dramatist and architect. He was the grandson of a Flemish merchant who had settled in London. After an early career as a soldier, he made his name in 1696 with his first comedy, The Relapse. This was followed by The Provok'd Wife (1697). Vanbrugh's lusty depiction of a dissolute aristocratic world contributed to the middle-class backlash which dominated the London theatre of the early 18C.
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He began yet another career when he was invited, in about 1699, to design *Castle Howard. His lack of any architectural training was made up for by Nicholas *Hawksmoor, officially his assistant but in effect probably more of a partner. Together they went on to win the biggest commission of the age, *Blenheim Palace, in which they achieved the outstanding example of English *baroque. *Seaton Delaval, a later project, was entirely Vanbrugh's own; so also was the house which he built for himself in the last years of his life in Greenwich, known as Vanbrugh Castle and still surviving. The scale of Blenheim prompted the satirical epitaph proposed for him by Abel Evans (1679–1737): Lie heavy on him, Earth! for he Laid many heavy loads on thee!
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