ADAM, Ron Elul', an eminent architect, born at Edin burgh in 1728. He seems to have enjoyed a talent for architecture by inheritance, as the works of his grand,, father arc said to have been peculiarly characterized by taste ; and the genius of his father, William Adam of Maryburgh Fife, was eminently conspicuous in Hope toun House, in the Royal Infirmary, and in other build ings, both public and private.
His sun Robert studied at the university of Edinburgh where he was associated with several cotemporaries, who afterwards made a conspicuous figure in the annals of literature. In 1754, lie went to the continent, and resi ded three years in Italy, where, from the splendid mon uments of antiquity which that country presents to the traveller, he imbibed that scientific style of design by which all his works arc distinguished. But it was from fragments that he was enabled to form his taste. lie saw, with deep regret, that the ravages of time, and the hands of barbarians, had conspired for the destruction of those noble specimens of ancient grandeur ; and that A was only in their ruins that he could study the archi tecture of the ancients. With the intention of viewing a. more complete monument of ancient splendour, he un dertook a voyage to Spalatro in Dalmatia, where the palace to which Dioclesian retired from the cares of government, still exhibited the remains of an extensive pile. Mr Adam, accompanied by Mr Clerisseau, French artist, and two expert draughtsmen, sailed from Venice in July 1754. They found the palace much de faced ; but as its remains still exhibited the nature of the structure, they proceeded to a minute examination of its various parts. Their labours, however, were im
mediately interrupted by the interference of government, from a suspicion that they were making plans of the for tifications. Fortunately however, general Grzeine, com mander in chief of the Venetian forces, interposed ; and, being seconded by count Antonio Marcovich, they were soon allowed to prosecute their designs.
Mr Adam returned to England in 1764, and publish ed a splendid work, containing engravings and descrip tions of the ruins of the palace of Dioclesian, and of some other buildings, which convey an accurate idea of the original structure. Before this period, he had been ap pointed architect to the king and queen ; an office which he resigned on being elected member of parliament for the county of Kinross. About the year 1775, he, in con junction with his brother James, who was also an arclii :.ect, published another splendid work, consisting of plans and elevations of buildings, erected from their designs. Among these were several public and private edifices, both in England and Scotland, that are universally ad mired for the taste which they display, among which are the Register Office, the New College of Edinburgh, and the Royal Infirmary of Glasgow.
The vigour of Mr Adam's genius, and the refinement of his taste, seem to have increased at the approach of old age. In the course of the year preceding his death, he designed no less than eight public buildings, and twen ty-five private ones, all of singular variety and beauty.
This architect died, in 1792, by the bursting of a Wood-vessel, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. (c)