Sheraton, Thomas
Sheraton, Thomas (1751–1806). English furniture designer. Sheraton was born in Stockton-on-Tees, where he learned cabinet-making, probably never returning to this trade after his move to London about 1790. He was principally occupied writing several manuals on furniture design, the most popular, The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book (1791–4), including treatises on geometry, architecture, and perspective. A fervent baptist, he also published numerous religious tracts. Sheraton's many chair-back designs were simple and elegant, employing straight lines and delicate marquetry of animals, flowers, or musical instruments. Other designs were more ingenious, providing furniture with several purposes, always enhancing the beauty and qualities of the woods. Although influential, none of Sheraton's books brought him financial success and he died insane in direst poverty. Often acerbic in print, his obituary in the Gentleman's Magazine described him as ‘a very honest, well-disposed man’.
June Cochrane
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Sheraton, Thomas
