In 1826, William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire, engaged a new Head Gardener for his residence at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. Joseph Paxton was only twenty-three, but his previous employer had spoken highly of him and Cavendish took a chance. Paxton hurried up to Derbyshire, arrived in the quiet of the dawn and began an impromtu tour of the property.

As the sun rose, Paxton assumed control. Soon his staff had their instructions, he had inspected the fountains, he had breakfasted, and now he was comfortably settled next to the future Mrs Paxton — all this by nine o’clock. And within months, Chatsworth’s pleasure gardens were more alive and the kitchen garden was more productive than in many a long year.

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