Robert Adam 1728–1792

Robert ADAM 1728-1792

Biographical Note

The second son of the architect William Adam (1689–1748)]], Robert Adam was educated at Edinburgh University (1743-1746). He then joined his father's architectural practice. Following the death of his father, from 1754 to 1757 he made an architectural tour of Italy which greatly influenced his later work. With his younger brother James he had a significant business practice in London, designing and building mansions for many wealthy and influential patrons.

He served as M.P. for Kinross-shire from 1768 to 1774.

Books

He inherited and extended his father's extensive library which had been assembled at the family home of Blair Adam in Fife. The extent and disposition of his library is not known. Architectural drawings from the firm of Robert and James Adam are in Sir John Soane's Museum, London.

Sources

• Tait, A. A. [ "Adam, Robert (1728–1792), architect."] Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Edith Lady Haden-Guest. 'Adam, Robert (1728-92), of Dowhill, Kinross.' History of Parliament.
• Sir John Soane's Museum Collection Online: Robert and James Adam office drawings