Inigo Jones (; 15 July 1573 – 21 June 1652) was the first significant
English
architect of the
early modern period, and the first to employ
Vitruvian rules of proportion and symmetry in his buildings. He left his mark on London by single buildings, such as the
Queen's House which is the first building in England designed in a pure classical style, and the
Banqueting House, Whitehall, as well as the layout for
Covent Garden square which became a model for future developments in the West End. He made major contributions to
stage design by his work as theatrical designer for several dozen
masques, most by royal command and many in collaboration with
Ben Jonson.