George Hepplewhite was an English furniture designer and cabinetmaker who lived during the 18th century. He is known for his influential designs that were popular during the Neoclassical period. Hepplewhite's work is characterized by delicate, slender forms, and he is particularly famous for his chairs, which often featured shield-shaped backs and tapered legs. He is also known for his influential design book, "The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide," which was published posthumously in 1788 and had a significant impact on furniture design in England and the United States.