High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Thomas Chippendale (probably born at Farnley near Otley, baptised at Otley 16 June 1718 - November 1779) was a London cabinet-maker and furniture designer in the mid-Georgian, English Rococo, and Neoclassical styles. In 1754 he published a book of his designs, titled The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker`s Director. The designs are regarded as establishing the fashion for furniture for that period and were used by many other cabinet makers.