Son of an architect, Robert Adam and his three brothers (John, James and William) all followed in their father's footsteps. Robert was able to travel in Europe on a "Grand Tour" which was to greatly influence his architectural style. Contemporaries in Edinburgh were philosopher David Hume and economist Adam Smith.
Robert and James set up a practice in London in 1758, developing there an integrated style, an elegant sense of proportion and unified facades such as in Portland Place and the Adelphi. In 1762 Robert Adam was appointed as a royal architect and became the most fashionable architect in England. He had a great impact on interior design with elaborate plaster work and neo-classical figures.
Adam spent the last ten years of his life in Scotland where he influenced the design of the New Town, Edinburgh, particularly in the wonderful Charlotte Square (illustrated here) and also Register House and the Old College of Edinburgh University. A high point in Robert's work was Culzean Castle for the Earl of Cassilis. Robert Adam is buried in Westminster Abbey.
