(b Kirkcaldy, Fife, bapt 5 March 1721; d Blair Adam, Tayside, 25 June 1792). Architect, son of (1) William Adam. He was trained by his father and worked with him until the latter’s death in 1748. He succeeded to the family’s architectural practice and contracting business, including the post of Master Mason to the Board of Ordnance for North Britain. He brought his brother Robert into partnership immediately, and James shortly after. During the late 1740s and the 1750s all three brothers were active as contractors on the Highland forts, especially Fort William, and at Inveraray Castle, Strathclyde, as well; but they also continued their father’s architectural projects, for example Hopetoun House, Lothian (c. 1750–60), and took on new commissions, including Dumfries House, Strathclyde (1753–9), and Arniston, Lothian (1753–8). Since his partnership with Robert was dissolved in 1758, and that with James two years later, during the 1760s Adam practised alone in Edinburgh, though he was increasingly active in other business interests. After c. 1770 he seems to have ceased working as an architect, though he retained a strong interest in the London activities of his two brothers.

Part of the Adam (ii) family

• Adam (ii), John
  • Adam (ii)
  • collaboration
    • Scotland, §II, 3(i): Architecture, c 1680–c 1800: Secular buildings
    • Scotland, §V, 2: Interior decoration, 1603–1790
  • groups and movements
    • Palladianism, §4: Diffusion
  • patrons and collectors
    • Percy: (3) Hugh Smithson, 1st Duke of Northumberland
  • works
    • England, §V, 4: Interior decoration, 1721–90
    • Scotland, §II, 3(iii): Architecture, c 1680–c 1800: Urban development