Adam, ROBERT, a distinguished architect, was born at Kirkcaldy in 1728. His father, William Adam of Maryburgh, Fife, who died in 1748, was also an architect of no mean repute. After leaving Edinburgh University, Robert Adam proceeded in 1754 with Clérisseau, a French architect, to Italy, and thence to Dalmatia, where he made drawings of the ruins of Diocletian's palace at Spalatro. On his return to Britain, in 1762, he was appointed architect to the king. In opposition to the heavy style of architecture then prevalent, he introduced a taste for lightness and decoration, which, however, tended to the opposite extreme of weakness and triviality. In 1768 he was elected member for Kinross-shire. During upwards of twenty-five years, his practice, in partnership with his brother James, was more extensive than that of any other architect. In 1773 the brothers commenced to publish a series of engravings of their chief designs, which was completed by a posthumous third volume in 1822. Robert died in London 3d March 1792, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. In
Edinburgh his principal works are the Register House, and the main block of the University buildings, which last were completed only in 1887 by the addition of a graceful dome. Glasgow owes its Infirmary to him; and London, the Adelphi buildings (so called after the two brothers) and the screen to the Admiralty. Other works by him were Caenwood House, Kedleston Hall, Luton House, Lansdowne House, &c.—His nephew, the Right Hon. WILLIAM ADAM of Blair-Adam (1751–1839), sat in parliament as a Whig from 1774 till 1811, and in 1816 was appointed chief-commissioner of the Scottish jury court. He was father of JOHN ADAM (1779–1825), Anglo-Indian statesman, of Admiral Sir CHARLES ADAM (1780–1853), and of General Sir FREDERICK ADAM (1781–1853); whilst Sir Charles was father of WILLIAM PATRICK ADAM (1823–81), for six years Liberal 'whip,' and then governor of Madras for the last few months of his life.