KENT, WILLIAM, an artist of moderate ability as a painter and sculptor, but one of some ability and considerable influence as an architect and landscape gardener, was born in Yorkshire in 1684. Both his parentage and education were humble, and be was appren ticed to a coach-painter. Conceiving however that he had abilities which ought to elevate him above that grade, he attempted to establish himself as a portrait and historical painter, and so far attracted notice that some gentlemen raised a contribution for the purpose of enabling him to go and study in Italy. Thither he accordingly proceeded in 1710, and remained there several years; and there, in 1716, he had the good fortune to win the notice and patronage of the Earl of Bur lington, who not only brought home his prot6g6, and exerted all his influence and authority in matters of taste to recommend him to others, but took him under his own roof, where he remained till his death, April 12, 1718. How far Kent assisted his patron in his designs, or the letter assisted him, is doubtful ; but it is certain that he soon discovered greater capacity for architecture than he had done for painting. The designs for Holkham, the seat of the Earl of Leicester,
Norfolk, are said to have emanated principally, if not entirely, from him ; and if so, that edifice proves him to have possessed both talent and taste as an architect, it being excellent in plan, and possessing many beauties of design. But his greatest skill lay in laudscapo gardening ; in which art he is regarded as tho father of the English style. Walpole, who in sometimes as lavish as he is at others niggard of praise, says that Kent was "painter enough to taste the charms of `landscape, bold and opinionative enough to dare and to dictate, and born with a genius to strike out a great system from the twilight of imperfect essays." Shakspere's monument in Westminster Abbey will preserve his name as a sculptor, without however adding to his reputation.