Robert Adam

1728-1792

Robert Adam was a Scottish architect during the time of the Scottish Enlightenment.

Robert Adam is unique in his influence of Scotland. While some Scottish clans may lay claim to holding a great discovery or thought in their ancestry, the descendants of Robert Adam are different. They are more privileged in that they are able to see the buildings designed by Robert Adam as they have stood from the time of their construction.

Robert Adam was born on the 3rd of July 1728, in the town of Kirckaldy, Fife in Scotland (the same town as Adam Smith). His father William Adam was a stonemason and an architect who had a respectable reputation. Following in the footsteps of his father, Robert Adam joined the Royal High School in Edinburgh. In 1743 Robert Adam moved on to the Edinburgh University. His studies were interrupted, firstly by illness and then the Jacobite Uprising of 1745.

Robert Adam began his career by working with his brother, along side their father. At the passing of their father, Adam Robert and John Adam formed their own company, “Adam Brothers”. They began this new outfit with a commission to decorate the grand apartments of Hopetoun House in 1721, which was the traditional residence of the Earl of Hopetoun.
After a small number of other projects, Robert Adam set out on the “Grand Tour”, a educational trip of Europe that was popular amongst young privileged British men of the time. He returned to Great Britain in 1758, although this time choosing to reside in London, where he once again set up a business with his brothers.

In this business venture, Robert Adam completed over 30 projects and left behind over 9,000 drawings. His works raised him in some peoples respect to be called the greatest architect of the 18th century.

Robert Adam passed away on the 3rd of March 1792, at the age of 64.

See also: Famous Scots.