(b Kirkcaldy, Fife, 30 Oct 1689; d Edinburgh, 24 June 1748). Architect and landscape designer. He was the leading architect in Scotland during the second quarter of the 18th century and had an extensive practice. An important contractor for the Government, serving from 1730 to his death as Master Mason to the Board of Ordnance for North Britain, he also pursued various business enterprises, including ownership of a brickworks. Apparently self-taught as an architect, he was involved with building country houses from the early 1720s. His early patron, Sir John Clerk, 2nd Baronet of Penicuik, made his own library available to Adam, and in 1727 they made a joint trip to England. Adam developed a style that was influenced by Sir John Vanbrugh, James Gibbs and the English Palladianism of Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and 4th Earl of Cork, and his circle. Thus, Baroque and Palladian forms co-existed in his work, although he handled them in a very personal and inventive way.

Part of the Adam (ii) family

• Adam (ii), William (1689-1748)
  • Adam (ii)
  • Clayton, Thomas
  • Scotland, §XV: Art education
  • collaboration
    • Scotland, §II, 3(i): Architecture, c 1680–c 1800: Secular buildings
    • Scotland, §XII, 3: Patronage, c 1660–1800
  • groups and movements
    • Palladianism, §4: Diffusion
  • patrons and collectors
    • Clerk: (2) John Clerk, 2nd Baronet of Penicuik
  • pupils
    • Adam (ii): (2) John Adam
    • Adam (ii): (3) Robert Adam
    • Smith, Robert (i)
  • works
    • Edinburgh, §4: Palace of Holyroodhouse
    • Scotland, §II, 3(iii): Architecture, c 1680–c 1800: Urban development
    • Scotland, §II, 4(i): Architecture, c 1800–1914: Industrial, commercial and public buildings
    • Scotland, §V, 2: Interior decoration, 1603–1790
    • Scotland, §VI, 2: Furniture, 1603–1790
    • Stuart: (1) John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute
    • Town hall, §2: Guildhalls and town halls, 12th–18th centuries
    • Villa, §III: c 1700–c 1800