Review
Joseph Paxton was one of the great Victorian pioneers and yet is relatively unknown compared with his famous contemporaries. Here Kate Colquhoun redresses the balance with a book that is full of rich detail and colour, telling the fascinating story of his remarkable life. Paxton was born in 1803, the seventh and last child of a humble farm labourer. When his father died in 1810, the family became even poorer and yet remarkably the young Paxton still managed to attend school, walking an hour each way. When he left school he could read and write proficiently, a skill which would stand him in good stead for the career ahead of him. He started work at 15 as a gardening boy on the estate of the patron of horticulture, the Duke of Bedford. Here he was introduced to the wonders of botany and horticulture. This was the time of the garden revolution; public interest in the subject was growing and Paxton quickly became skilled and knowledgeable. Moving on, Paxton went to work in the Horticultural Society's gardens, where he witnessed the latest architectural and engineering technologies, examined plants and learned techniques. Through rigorous self-education and his natural talent, Paxton was soon offered the position of Head Gardener at one of the grandest English estates, Chatsworth, home to the Duke of Devonshire. He was only 23, but he soon proved that the Duke had chosen wisely, transforming the park, designing and constructing revolutionary greenhouses and growing medal-winning flowers and fruits. The Duke was delighted and Paxton's unassuming manner and lively intelligence soon secured him a place at the Duke's side as a friend and companion. This remarkable friendship lasted a lifetime and as his influence and reputation grew Paxton was accepted into the world of the gentry and, later, into royal circles. Paxton's ambitions and genius led him to take an active part in public life. Set against the backdrop of social, economic and industrial change, his artistic flair and architectural talents meant that he was always at the vanguard of his profession. From designing the original Crystal Palace to his successful horticultural magazines, his work in parliament and involvement with the rapidly expanding railways, Paxton became a household name and was widely respected. As with many driven characters, his private life was sacrificed to his pursuit of public interests and his long-suffering wife Sarah was often lonely. But despite his single-minded dedication to his craft, he was widely loved. When he died, this man of humble origins had become Sir Joseph Paxton, 'The Prince of Gardeners', the founder of a new style of architecture and widely acknowledged as a man of genius. He left an estate valued at #180,000 (#8,500,000 in modern terms). This is a fascinating biography, stylishly written and full of compelling detail about the life of an early entrepreneur and the society through which he cut a dash. (Kirkus UK)
Observer
'Colquhoun's picture is affectionate, thorough and compulsively readable.'
by Jenny Uglow
by Julian Fellowes
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