Inigo Jones (1573-1652)

He was born in Smithfield, London, to a Welsh clothworker. Showing an aptitude for art, a wealthy patron sent him to study drawing in Italy. From there he travelled to Denmark where he contributed towards the designs for the palaces of Rosenborg and Frederiksborg, and worked on stage design in the Italian manner. He returned to Italy again during which time he became fluent in Italian and was influenced by the architectural principles of Palladio and Vitruvius. By the time he returned to England in 1615, he was the country's foremost architect and was appointed Surveyor-General of the King's Works. He was the first to introduce the classical architecture of Rome and the Italian Renaissance to Britain. In London, he built the Queen's House at Greenwich which is the first building in England designed in a pure classical style. He is also remembered for the Banqueting House at Whitehall as well as the layout for Covent Garden square which became a model for future developments in the West End. As a theatrical designer to the King he collaborated closely with Ben Jonson. He was unmarried.