Drawing

1758

Back in Britain, a practice in London

After nearly five years on the continent Robert set up in London with his brother James, designing complete schemes of decoration: carpets echoed the ceilings, while sconces, mirrors and doorknobs took up the motifs of the room. His collaboration with Thomas Chippendale produced some of the finest neoclassical designs of the age, most notably at Harewood House.

1761

Architect of the King's Works, jointly with Chambers

In 1761, the year of his election to the Society of Antiquaries, Adam was appointed Architect of the King's Works jointly with Sir William Chambers.

1764

Publishes “Ruins of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian”

The 1757 survey appeared as “Ruins of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian at Spalatro in Dalmatia”; most of its engravings are thought to be by Clérisseau.

1772

The Adelphi founders: 3,000 workmen laid off

The houses stood on a huge artificial terrace over vaulted substructures at river level, which Adam was sure could be leased to the government as warehouses, but this never happened; with uncertain financing and spiralling costs, the brothers were left with huge debts. In 1772 they had to lay off 3,000 workmen and stop building.

1773–1779

The brothers publish their “Works in Architecture”

The brothers published two volumes of their designs (1773–1778 and 1779; a third appeared posthumously in 1822), declaring Graeco-Roman examples the “models which we should imitate”. The first volume cited Kedleston Hall, designed by Robert in 1761, as an outstanding example of “movement” in architecture.

3. marts 1792

Died