William Kent

William Kent
Portrait by William Aikman, c. 1710–1720
Born	late 1685 Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died	12 April 1748(1748-04-12) (aged 62) Burlington House, London, England
Nationality	English
Occupation	Architect
Buildings	Holkham Hall Chiswick House 44 Berkeley Square Badminton House Stowe House
Projects	Palladian style English landscape garden

William Kent (c. 1685 – 12 April 1748) was an English architect, landscape architect, painter and furniture designer of the early 18th century. He began his career as a painter, and became Principal Painter in Ordinary or court painter, but his real talent was for design in various media.

Kent introduced the Palladian style of architecture into England with the villa at Chiswick House, and also originated the 'natural' style of gardening known as the English landscape garden at Chiswick, Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire, and Rousham House in Oxfordshire. As a landscape gardener he revolutionised the layout of estates, but had limited knowledge of horticulture.

He complemented his houses and gardens with stately furniture for major buildings including Hampton Court Palace, Chiswick House, Devonshire House and Rousham.