Adam Style
Introduction
Robert Adam (July 3, 1728 – March 3, 1792) was a British architect, interior and furniture designer. He was the son of William Adam "William Adam (architect)") (1689-1748), Scotland's greatest architect of the day, and learned the trade from him. Following the death of his father, with his older brother John, Robert took over the family business which included lucrative work for the Board of Ordnance.
In 1754 he went to Rome, spending almost five years on the continent studying architecture with Charles-Louis Clérisseau") and Giovanni Battista Piranesi. Upon his return to Britain he established himself professionally in London, accompanied by his younger brother James&action=edit&redlink=1 "James Adam (architect) (not yet written)"). There he developed the "Adam style")" and his theory of "movement" in architecture, based on his studies of antiquity, becoming one of the most fashionable and successful architects in the country. Adam held the position of "Arquitect de Obras del Rey" (Architect of the King's Works) between 1761 and 1769.
Adam was one of the leaders of the first phase of classical revival in England and Scotland, from around 1760 until his death. He influenced the development of Western architecture, both in Europe and North America, with his design of houses as well as interiors and accessories. Sir William Chambers "William Chambers (architect)") was the leading British architect of the time, but Adam received more commissions from private clients and had a greater influence, creating the style Adam"). His younger brother and business partner James Adam&action=edit&redlink=1 "James Adam (architect) (not yet drafted)") was also a renowned architect, as was his older brother John Adam&action=edit&redlink=1 "John Adam (architect) (not yet drafted)"), although both were overshadowed by Robert.
Robert also served as Member of Parliament for Kinross-shire") (1768-1774).[3].
Adam was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the Royal Society of Natural Sciences, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
Biography
Years of training
Robert Adam was born on 3 July 1728 at Gladney House in Kirkcaldy, Fife, the second son of William Adam "William Adam (architect)") (1689-1748), an architect and stonemason who became Scotland's leading house designer during that time. The family soon moved to Edinburgh later that year. As a child he was noted to have a "weak constitution"[4] From 1734, at the age of six, he attended the Royal High School in Edinburgh&action=edit&redlink=1 "Royal High School (Edinburgh) (not yet written)")[4] where he learned Latin (from his second year lessons were taught in Latin)[4] until he was fifteen years old: he was taught to read the works of Virgil, Horace, Sallust and parts of Cicero and in his last year of Livy. In the autumn of 1743 he enrolled at the University of Edinburgh, where the compulsory classes for all students were: Greek language, logic, metaphysics and natural philosophy. Students could choose three elective subjects, Adam attended classes in mathematics, taught by Colin Maclaurin, and anatomy, taught by Alexander Monro. &action=edit&redlink=1 "Alexander Monro (primus) (not yet drafted)").[4] His studies were interrupted by the arrival of and his Highlanders, who occupied Edinburgh during the Jacobite Rising") of 1745. At the end of that year, Robert fell seriously ill for a few months, and it seems unlikely that he returned to university, having completed only two years of study.[5].