Vathek

A multifaceted figure of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, William Thomas Beckford was an influential English novelist and art collector known for his Gothic novel, Vathek. His wealth and status allowed him to serve as a Member of Parliament and pursue his passions for architecture and art, leading to the creation of Fonthill Abbey and Lansdown Tower. Beckford's legacy includes his contributions to literature, decorative arts, and politics, marking him as one of England's richest commoners and a notable patron of the arts.