John Adam (architect) facts for kids

John Adam (born March 5, 1721 – died June 25, 1792) was a talented Scottish architect and a successful businessman. He was also a building contractor, meaning he managed construction projects, and a supervisor, overseeing the work.

John Adam was the oldest son in a famous family of architects. His father, William Adam, was a well-known architect and entrepreneur. John's younger brothers, Robert and James Adam, also became very famous architects.

Early Life and Family Business

John was born in Linktown of Abbotshall, which is now part of Kirkcaldy, Fife. In 1728, his family moved to Edinburgh as his father's career grew. John went to Dalkeith Grammar School. He didn't go to university because he was already helping with the family businesses. Their home in Edinburgh became a popular place for many important thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment to visit.

It's thought that John helped his father with some work on the Montrose Mausoleum in Aberuthven in 1736. His name is even carved into a wall there.

During the 1740s, John's father slowly started giving him more control of the family businesses. When his father passed away in 1748, John took over completely. The businesses included designing and building houses, as well as quarrying (getting stone from the ground) and mining. John also inherited his father's important job as Master Mason for the Board of Ordnance in North Britain. This board was in charge of military buildings and supplies.

John also became the owner of Blair Adam, a large estate in Kinross-shire that his father had built up. He created a huge personal library there.

Working with His Brothers

John brought his younger brother Robert into the business as a partner. They made a lot of money from contracts with the Board of Ordnance. These contracts came after the Jacobite rising of 1745, a period of conflict in Scotland. One big project was building Fort George near Inverness, which was designed by military engineer Colonel William Skinner.

The brothers also finished designs that their late father had started, like parts of Hopetoun House. Their first major new project came in 1754 for William Dalrymple, the Earl of Dumfries. The new Dumfries House in Ayrshire was probably mostly designed by Robert Adam, who was considered the more artistic architect. Robert oversaw the building until late 1754, when he left for his Grand Tour to Italy. Even while abroad, Robert kept sending designs home. John focused on the business side of things. He was a good architect, but his designs were more traditional.

John won a competition to design a new Royal Exchange in Edinburgh. However, he wasn't chosen as the builder. Another architect was hired and made changes to the design. Still, the building, which is now the City Chambers, is often credited to John Adam.

When Robert returned to Britain, he set up his own business in London. His younger brothers James and William joined him there. John stayed in Scotland to manage the family's Scottish businesses. He invested in more quarrying and in the Carron Iron Works, which made iron. He sent money from the Blair Adam estate to his brothers in London. However, John faced financial problems after a friend's business failed in 1764. He had more losses when Robert's big building project in London, called the Adelphi, ran into trouble in 1772. John had to mortgage his Blair Adam estate to cover these losses.

John's Own Designs

John Adam designed other houses in Edinburgh and nearby areas. These included Milton House in the Old Town, Hawkhill House near Leith Links, and Kerse House near Falkirk. All of these houses have since been torn down. In the town of Moffat, he designed Moffat House for the Earl of Hopetoun.

One of his most important works was Adam Square in Edinburgh. This was a project to build three houses on his own land. Even though it wasn't a true "square," it was one of the first groups of townhouses built together in Edinburgh. Construction started in 1761. Despite his money problems, a high-ranking judge named Robert Dundas was able to move into one of the houses by 1768. John Adam himself lived there until 1772. He also had a villa in Merchiston. Adam Square was demolished in the 1870s. The site is now home to Adam House, a building of the University of Edinburgh.

In Edinburgh, John lived on Niddry's Wynd, which is now called Niddry Street.

When John Adam died in 1792, his only surviving son, William Adam, who was a politician and judge, became the new owner of Blair Adam.

Family

John Adam was married to Jean Ramsay of Abbotshall in Fife. She passed away in 1795.

Architectural Works

Public Buildings

• Royal Exchange, Edinburgh, worked on with his brother Robert
• Royal Society of Arts (1772–1774)

Garden Buildings and Follies

• Stables at Inveraray Castle, a joint project with his brother Robert

Urban Domestic Work

• The Adelphi development, London (1768–1775). Most of it was torn down in the 1930s. A ceiling and fireplace from the Adelphi are now in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Country Houses with Major Work

• Dumfries House, Ayrshire (1754–1759)
• Douglas Castle, Lanarkshire (1757–1761)
• Moffat House (1762)
• Gordon Castle

Images for kids

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  The grave of John Adam, architect, in the Adam mausoleum, Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh

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  The Edinburgh City Chambers, High Street Edinburgh

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  Royal Society of Arts (1772–74)

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  The Adam Brothers' Adelphi (1768-72)

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  Robert Adam ceiling from the Adelphi, now in the V&A

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  Dumfries House

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  Moffat House, designed by John Adam and completed in 1762