Playfair, William Henry, 1790-1857 (architect)
Dates
- Existence: 1790 - 1857
Biography
The architect William Henry Playfair was born in Russell Square, London, July 1789. On the death of his father, Playfair was sent to reside with his uncle in Edinburgh. Professor John Playfair, mathematician and geologist and a leading figure in the Edinburgh Enlightenment, took control of his nephew's education. Following his father's profession, the young Playfair studied under William Starke of Glasgow. His first public appointment was the laying out of part of the New Town in Edinburgh in 1815.
Then, after a visit to France in 1816, he established himself professionally by winning the commission in 1817 to complete the unfinished University buildings (leaving the front as designed by Robert and James Adam). He also designed the city's Royal Terrace and Regent Terrace on the Calton Hill estate; the unfinished National Monument on Calton Hill; and, the Royal Scottish Academy and the National Gallery on the Mound. While Playfair's most important works in Edinburgh have been executed in the Greek revivalist or classical style - earning for Edinburgh the title of 'Athens of the North' - he was competent in other styles too. He designed New College for the ten newly established Free Church of Scotland, a jagged-lined rendering of the Gothic style. He also built country houses and mansions in the Italianate and Tudor styles.
Playfair died in Edinburgh after a long illness on 27 May 1857.
Found in 158 Collections and/or Records:
ABSENT WHEN CATALOGUING
Drawings of parts of the west range of buildings.
ABSENT WHEN CATALOGUING
Drawings of parts of the west range of buildings.
Balauster (full size) for the Circular corner at the South Western Angle, 20th June 1818
Section of balauster and Mouldings
tre drawing is stained of brown spots
the drawing illustrates the outline of the balauster and the mouded coping up above and moulding plinth bleow. There are little holes on the painting, maybe they are done by artisans.
On the reverse of the drawing: Black ink pen + watercolor (pink)
Cabinets for Chemical Apparatus Room, 21st August 1819
Interior elevations, plan, and section of the highest cabinet
On the front of the drawing: Note dated 1st Sepetember 1819: 'This is the plan and specification referred to in our letter of the date given into Mr. Playfair for executing the work' signed Libbald Smith &ca James McPherson James Leslie witness
Cabinets of the Upper Museum, 11th May 1818
Ceiling Shutters &ca for Chemistry Class, 7th July 1819
Plan of the ceiling, section of the roof showing the skylight through trusses, and plan and detail of the shutters.
Drawing has been damaged and repaired, top right corner.
On the reverse of the drawing: Portfolio 1'
Central Ornament (Full Size) for Ceiling of Great Staircase to Museum, 22nd May 1819
Pen drawing of plaster ceiling ornament
Chimney Piece for Chemistry Class Laboratories and Preparation Room, 1st July 1819
Section and elevation of fire place mantle mouldings
College of Edinburgh: Museum, Natural History class, and classrooms for the Practice of Physic, Chemistry, etc., 1817-1849
Drawings of parts of the west range of buildings.
Cornice & Belt for Staircases of Upper Museum, 28th August 1818
Two sections, one showing cornice of the ceiling and the other is of belt around opening for the skylight & the detail is the soffit of the cornice of belt