John Vardy

John Vardy
BornFebruary 1718
Durham, England, Great Britain
Died17 May 1765(1765-05-17) (aged 47)
Children1 son

John Vardy (February 1718 – 17 May 1765) was an English architect attached to the Royal Office of Works from 1736. He was a close follower of the neo-Palladian architect William Kent.[1]

John Vardy was born to a simple working family in Durham. His early training is obscure. His career at the Office of Works, which demanded most of his attention throughout his life, began in May 1736, when he was appointed Clerk of the Works at Greenwich Hospital. He was Clerk of the Works at Hampton Court Palace, January 1745 to 1746; Clerk of the Works at Whitehall, Palace of Westminster and St James's Palace, December 1746 to 1754; Kensington Palace, July 1754 to 1761. He also served as Clerk of the Works at Chelsea Hospital and as Surveyor to the Mint.[2]

  1. ^ Howard Colvin, Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840, 3rd ed. (Yale University Press) 1995, s.v. "Vardy, John" observes "If not actually a pupil of Kent in the strict sense, he was certainly one of his most faithful disciples." Michael I. Wilson, William Kent, Architect, Designer, Painter, Gardener, 1685-1748(1984) p. 240 remarks, "This selfless disciple of Kent receives on the whole insufficient credit for the way in which he loyally promoted the best interests of his chief."
  2. ^ History of the King's Works, vol. 5; Colvin 1995.