Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Adam, James

by William Cosmo Monkhouse

ADAM, JAMES (d. 1794), architect, was the younger brother of Robert Adam, and so associated with him in all his works that it is difficult to assign any particular building to him. He is generally credited with the design of Portland Place. For some time before the reform of the board of works by Burke's bill he held the appointment of architect to George III, and was master mason of the board of ordnance in North Britain. He was the author of ‘Practical Essays on Agriculture,’ and was engaged on a history of architecture at the time of his death. This took place in Albemarle Street on 20 Oct. 1794, and was caused by apoplexy. [See Adam, Robert.]

[Redgrave's Dict.; Gent. Mag. 1794; Annual Register, 1794; Scots Mag. 1794.]

C. M.