Joseph Paxton (1803–65)

Gardener and architect. Gardener at the Horticultural Society gardens in Chiswick, 1823; foreman, 1824–6. Head gardener at Chatsworth, Derbyshire, 1826–50. Designed the layout of and constructions for the Great Exhibition in 1851. Superintended the re-erection of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, 1853–4; director of the gardens there, 1854–65. Liberal MP for Coventry, 1854–65. Knighted, 1851.