Robert Smythson (1535-15 October 1614) was an English architect. Smythson designed several notable houses during the Elizabethan era. Little is known about his birth and upbringing; his first mention in historical records occurs in 1556, when he was a bricklayer in the house at Longleat, built by Sir John Thynne (ca. 1512-1580). He later designed Hardwick Hall, Wollaton Hall, Burton Agnes Hall, and other major projects. Historically, several other Elizabethan houses, such as Gawthorpe Hall, have been attributed to him for stylistic reasons
