Adam was the family name of two brothers—Robert Adam (1728-1792) and James Adam (1732-1794)—who were famous Scottish architects. Robert Adam settled in London in 1758 and formed a partnership with his brother. Their interest in ancient Roman architecture formed the basis for the light and delicate Neoclassical character of their work. The brothers are especially noted for their residential buildings, furniture, and interior design.
Robert Adam’s best-known buildings include Syon House (1762-1769) and Osterley Park House (1763-1780), both in London. The brothers collaborated on the Adelphi (1772), a large row of residential and commercial buildings in London. Robert Adam’s book Ruins of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian at Spalato in Dalmatia (1764) was a significant archaeological publication of the period. Robert Adam was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, on July 3, 1728, and died in London on March 3, 1792. James Adam was born in Edinburgh on July 21, 1732. He died in London on Oct. 20, 1794.
See also Architecture (Neoclassical architecture); Chippendale, Thomas; Furniture (English neoclassical furniture); Kauffmann, Angelica.
