AJB Publications, Date 2025-08-25 (£25; also available from Amazon)
ISBN - 9781739438012

Thomas Anson (1695-1773) has been a man of mystery for 250 years. He is best known for the development of his house and garden, Shugborough, Staffordshire, with its enigmatic Shepherds Monument. Andrew Baker’s discoveries reveal him to have been an influential patron of the arts, inspiring the 18th century Greek Revival.

This 500pp book is the result of nearly twenty years research,

A very long time ago I sensed that Thomas Anson, brother of circumnavigator George Anson, was a man of mystery – some sort of eminence grise behind the arts and politics of the 18th century.

For many years people have looked for secrets in his house and gardens at Shugborough – especially the enigmatic Shepherds Monument with its relief of Poussin's Shepherds of Arcadia and a strange cipher inscription.

In 2006 I decided to start from scratch and write down what was actually known about Thomas.

Immediately I began to make unexpected and exciting discoveries. Most of the book is material that hasn't been published before.

Thomas emerges as an adventurous traveller in antique lands, searching for lost art and wisdom.

He was the invisible patron of the Greek Revival – not just the art and architecture, with his friend Athenian Stuart, but also one of a circle of friends promoting Greek philosophy and the rediscovery of nature as an antidote to the increasing materialism of the time, fifty years before Thomas Taylor, William Blaker and the romantic poets.

He was a patron of music, hosting concerts led by his friend the delightful but forgotten composer Antonin Kammell.

He was always close to the leaders of new science and industry, from Isaac Newton to Josiah Wedgwood.

He was remembered for his dry wit and his “elegant badinage”.

He seems to have been a spy – but for whom?

My book tells many stories about these things and his friends. It's a window into a little known alternative view of the 18th century.

For the first time it looks closely at the personal testament of this secretive man – his house and garden with their uniquely quirky imagery.

I hope you enjoy meeting Thomas and entering his multi-faceted world!

Andrew Baker

https://www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk/products/thomas-anson-of-shugborough-and-his-world