ADAM, ROBERT, a distinguished architect, was born at Edinburgh in 1728. His father, William Adam, of 3faryburgh, in Fifeshire, was also an architect of no mean repute. After receiving a university education, Robert A. proceeded in 1754 to Italy, and thence to Dalmatia, where he devoted some time, in conjunction with Clerisseau, a French archi tect, to exploring and making drawings of the ruins of Diocletian's palace at Spalatro. On his return to Britain he rapidly rose to distinction, was appointed architect to the king, and obtained extensive employment. The publication, in 1764, of the results of his labors at Spalatro, contributed to his reputation. In opposition to the heavy style of architecture prevalent at the time, A. introduced a taste for lightness and decoration, which, however, tended to the opposite extreme of weakness and triviality. Those, how ever, who form the lowest estimate of the general character of his designs, grant him the merit of having effected great reforms in British domestic architecture generally. • In 1768
A. was elected M.P. for the county of Kinross. During upwards of twenty-five years, his practice, in partnership with his brother James,was more extensive than that of any other architect ofsthe time. In 1773, the brothers commenced to publish a series of engravings of their chief designs, which was continued for some years. Robert died in 1792, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. The most generally admired of his works is the register house, Edinburgh. Kedleston hall, near Derby, is regarded by some as his greatest work. Among his other principal works are the university buildings and St. 6-corge's church, Edinburgh (both altered from the original design), the Glasgow infir mary, the Adelphi buildings, London, the screen to theadmiralty, Caen-wood house, Luton house (altered), Lansdowne house, etc.