Thomas Anson of Shugborough and his World
My long awaited book about Thomas Anson is now available from Great British Bookshop.
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Thomas Anson (1695-1773) has been a man of mystery for 250 years. He is best known for the development of his house and garden, Shugborough, Staffordshire, with its enigmatic Shepherds Monument. Andrew Baker’s discoveries reveal him to have been an influential patron of the arts, inspiring the 18th century Greek Revival, an extraordinarily adventurous traveller in search of ancient cultures and wisdom, a supporter of new music and a man known for “elegant badinage”. He also seems to have acted as a spy. This entertaining well-illustrated book is a window into a little known aspect of the century and a small group of friends who saw the dangers of materialism and detachment from nature fifty years before William Blake and the romantic poets.
See also:
RETURNING TO ARCADIA
This 2023 talk, for the Fintry Trust, includes new material about the ceilings in the Drawing Room and Library and background to the Arcadian tradition.
A PORTRAIT OF THOMAS ANSON 13-06-2021
A brief portrait in his own words words and the words of those who knew him. I believe it gives a very true picture of his character.
Antonin Kammell Duet Op. 5 no. 5 Dedicated to Thomas Anson
Here are some video talks on related subjects:
Conversations in Arcadia
A talk to the Temenos Academy 10/02/2020 on the philosophy of the Greek Revival, and the platonists James Harris, Floyer Sydenham, and Elizabeth Carter. For more on the 18thc Platonists go here.
For details of Thomas Anson’s friend Antonin Kammell and his music go here.