Macadam, JOHN LOUDON

Macadam, JOHN LOUDON, inventor of the system of road-making known as 'macadamising,' the son of James MacAdam of Waterhead of Dengh, Kirkcudbright, was born at Ayr, 21st September 1756. He went to New York in 1770, entered his uncle's counting-house, became a successful merchant, and on his return to Scotland in 1783 bought the estate of Sauchrie, Ayrshire. He began in 1810 to make experiments in the construction of roads, which became a passion with him, and in gaining experience he travelled 30,000 miles, and spent £5000. In 1816 he was appointed surveyor to the Bristol Turnpike Trust, and re-made the roads there cheaply and well. His advice and assistance were now sought in all directions, and his methods formed the subject of a select committee of the House of Commons in 1819. Instead of going deep for a 'bottoming,' he worked on the top; the road-metal, from 1 to 2 ounces in size, was scattered to a depth of from 6 to 10 inches, and when shaken and pressed together, made a top-covering as close as a wall (see ROAD). Macadam, impoverished through his labours, petitioned parliament in 1820 for his expenses and some reward. His petition was repeated in 1823, and he was voted £10,000 and appointed Surveyor-general of Metropolitan Roads in 1827. He declined a knighthood. He died at Moffat, Dumfriesshire, 26th November 1836. He published A Practical Essay on the Scientific Repair and Preservation of Public Roads (1819), Remarks on the Present State of Road-making (1820), and Observations on Roads (1822).