The last of the great historic designers and ebonists of the English school of furniture. He was born at Stockton-on-Tees, came to London in 1790, published his "Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book " in 1791, 1793 and 1802, the "Cabinet Maker's Dictionary" in 1803, and a first part of an unfinished Encyclopaedia in 1804. After about 1793 he ceased to work at his trade, and spent the rest of his life in writing books. His inspiration was drawn from both Chippendale and Hepplewhite, but more largely from Gallic sources, and the French term his style "Louis Seize a l'Anglaise." The distinctive features of his work and designs are satinwood veneers, inlay in preference to painting, the straight line in strong preference to the curvilinear treatment of his contemporary and rival Hepplewhite, and a grace and delicacy of style, in both design and ornamentation, which have never been surpassed. Shortly before his death he made vain attempts to popularize in England an extravagant form of the French Empire style.