Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) was an English architect and dramatist, perhaps best known as the designer of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. As a young man and a committed Whig, he was part of the scheme to overthrow James II, put William III on the throne and protect English parliamentary democracy, and he was imprisoned by the French as a political prisoner. He later went on to write two argumentative and outspoken Restoration comedies, The Relapse (1696) and The Provoked Wife (1697), which have become enduring stage favourites but originally occasioned much controversy.

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Size: 3678px × 4769px
Location: City of LOndon, England
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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