Joseph Paxton – Gardener at Chatsworth

Today Joseph Paxton is recognized as a nineteenth century gardener, engineer, and politician.

Paxton, who had been gardening for years, worked with the Duke of Derbyshire to create the Chatsworth garden you see today.

As Alan Titchmarsh writes in his book, “One thing is not in doubt: those forty years [that Paxton worked for the Duke between 1818 and 1859 would be for the Duke among the most exciting in the development of the grounds and the garden at Chatsworth, thanks to the genius of three men whose vision and energy created a masterpiece: the Batchlor Duke, Sir Jeffrey Wyatville and Sir Joseph Paxton.” [Chatsworth:The Gardens and People Who Made Them]

Sir Joseph Paxton 1803-1865 British Museum [above]

Paxton would also create the glass structure for the first World’s Fair, held in London in the 1850s. It was a gigantic glass greenhouse named the ‘Chrystal Palace.’

Work in the Garden

As a gardener, Paxton transformed the look for the rock garden at Chatsworth. The rocks became more in number and bigger in size. Today the rock garden makes a strong statement about the use of rocks that stand out with select trees, shrubs, and perennials.

It is possible to witness through word and image the development of the entire Chatsworth garden.

A man who contributed to that growth of the garden was Joseph Paxton.