Vanbrugh, Sir John

Vanbrugh, Sir John (1664–1726). Dramatist and architect. A good imitation of Renaissance Man, Vanbrugh was of Dutch descent. His grandfather settled in London as a merchant; his father moved to Chester after the Great Fire of London; his mother was the granddaughter of a peer. Vanbrugh began as a soldier, was made a captain, and spent 1688–92 in captivity in France. In 1696 he had an enormous success with his delightful comedy The Relapse, or Virtue in Danger, with its bravura role of Lord Foppington. He followed it in 1697 with The Provok'd Wife, and in 1705 The Confederacy was put on at the Queen's, Haymarket, which Vanbrugh had built. His last play, The Journey to London, was finished by Cibber and had great success as The Provok'd Husband. Meanwhile, Vanbrugh's career as an architect developed after he began building Castle Howard in 1701 for the earl of Carlisle. He was appointed comptroller of the board of works in 1702, Carlisle herald in 1703, and Clarenceux herald in 1704. His work on Blenheim palace began in 1705 and involved him in protracted and rancorous exchanges with Sarah, duchess of Marlborough. He was knighted by George I at Greenwich on his arrival in 1714 and was appointed architect of Greenwich hospital. Among his many buildings are Kimbolton ‘castle’ (1707), King's Weston, near Bristol (1710–25); Morpeth town hall (1714); the north front at Grimsthorpe (Lincs.) for the duke of Ancaster (1715–30); Eastbury (Dorset) for Dodington (1716–18); Floors castle for the duke of Roxburgh (1718); Seaton Delaval (Northd.) (1718–29), and much rebuilding at Lumley castle, Co. Durham (1722–4). His usual style is an extravagant and idiosyncratic baroque. Vanbrugh married late in life and his widow outlived him by 50 years: his only son was killed at Fontenoy.

J. A. Cannon