History and Heritage

History

Sir William Chambers (1726-1796)

Sir William Chambers was a classical architect, best known for designing Somerset House in London. For a time he was architect to Princess Augusta and architectural tutor to her son, the future George III. He later became Comptroller of Works and finally Surveyor-General to the King.

He designed more than 25 buildings for Kew, including a mosque, a Palladian bridge, a menagerie and the Great Stove, all of which have long since disappeared. Still standing are the Orangery, Ruined Arch, the Temple of Bellona and the Temple of Aeolus.

His most famous building at Kew is probably the Pagoda, which was influenced by his travels in China as a young man. He published a book of drawings in 1763 entitled "Plans, elevations, sections and perspective views of the Gardens and buildings at Kew in Surry".

Several portraits of Sir William Chambers can be found in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery.