This book examines the career of James 'Athenian' Stuart 1713-1788 and his contributions as designer, artist and tastemaker. It was published in conjunction with the exhibition James 'Athenian' Stuart 1713-1788: The Rediscovery of Antiquity' held at The Bard Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design and Culture from November 2006 - February 2007. Twelve distinguished authors bring together the most recent research on Stuart's life and career in this volume edited by Susan Weber Soros. Chapters cover Stuart's most enduring achievement, 'Antiquities of Athens' (David Watkin), his rise to quite 'extraordinary heights' from very humble beginnings (Catherine Arbuthnott) and Kerry Bristol traces his close-knit patronage circle as well as Stuart's most important public commission - the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich. Richard Hewlings examines Stuart's interior design work on a few London houses, including Spencer House. M.G. Sullivan explores the relationship between Stuart and the craftsmen he hired and three further chapters look at his furniture design, metalwork and his designs for medals. The book contains photographs of many of the objects from the exhibition along with photographs of period portraits and engravings. An illustrated chronology of Stuart's work and a bibliography of primary and secondary sources are also included.