Brown, Capability (Lancelot) (1716–1783)

English landscape gardener and architect. He acquired his nickname because of his continual enthusiasm for the ‘capabilities’ of natural landscapes. He worked on or improved the gardens of many great houses and estates, including Hampton Court; Kew; Blenheim, Oxfordshire; Stowe, Buckinghamshire; and Petworth, West Sussex, occasionally contributing to the architectural designs.

Born at Kirkharle, Northumberland, Brown was employed as a gardener in early life. From about 1740 to about 1749 he collaborated with the architect William Kent, but from 1751 onwards he had his own very large architectural practice, consisting mainly of country houses. In 1764 he was created Master Gardener at Hampton Court and advised on numerous gardens for the royal family. In 1772 he took into partnership Henry Holland, who married his daughter in 1773.