Dates
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 163 Collections and/or Records:
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/71
Scope and Contents
Section + Elevation Detail of Ornamental frieze on Arches there are little holes on the section profile, possible made by artisans, carving the pieces. the drawing illustrates the form of the frieze to be placed along arches. Its appearance is rendered though the addition of light and shadow details. Its 3dimensional form can be understood through the section in the upper part of the drawing. On...
Dates:
14th July 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/69
Scope and Contents
Section outlining the constructive profile of the Ceiling in Upper Museum the drawing illustrates the structure of wooden beams hidden behind the plasterwork ceiling of upper museum. Here are highlighted the shapes and intersections of the different elements as well as the moulded profile of cornices. On the right hand side, black lines show the elevation details of freizes and architraves under the Museum's...
Dates:
15th July 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/39
Scope and Contents
plan of wooden framing for gallery
wooden framing work of gallery is symmetrical the drawings illustrates the woodwork framing in the upper museum highlighting the different typed of wood used (with different colours). Also, indicated the iron connection of the wooden framework.
On the reverse of the drawing: Black ink pen watercolour ( pink, dark pink, yellow, orange, brown, dark brown, grey)
Dates:
15th February 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/41
Scope and Contents
schematic floorplan illustrating the disposition of wooden framing in the upper museum
the arrangement of the framing for piers is symmetrical indicated the connection and relative position with other rooms showing the entrance on the east side
On the reverse of the drawing: Black ink pen watercolour ( pink, yellow)
Dates:
17th February 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/37
Scope and Contents
floorplan illustrating the framing arrangement for cabinets and upper gallery on the eastern side of Museum the drawing highlights the different structural parts; different colour indicates different types of wood. Detailed index of structural components with quotes. Specific Features and Details: On the reverse of the drawing: Black ink pen + watercolour layers (Pink, deep pink, yellow, orange, brown, dark...
Dates:
5th February 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/33
Scope and Contents
Elevation + Section drawing illustrating the framework of Piers and Galleries in Upper Museum extensive index referring to the various constructive parts the elevation drawings illustrates the woodwork framing in the upper museum highlighting the different types of wood used (with different colours). In particular the section on the left hand side shows the details of the outline of corners and decorations as well...
Dates:
15th January 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/36
Scope and Contents
plan of framing for piers & gallery on the eastern side of the museum plan of framing forming (name?) for cabinet on the eastern side of the museum floorplan of the wooden framing for piers and gallery. the drawings illustrates the woodwork framing in the upper museum highlighting the different types of wood used (with different colours) as well as their intersections. showing details of wooden connections and iron...
Dates:
5th February 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/32
Scope and Contents
Floorplan + Section drawing illustrating the framework of Piers and Galleries in Upper Museum the drawings illustrates the woodwork framing in the upper museum highlighting the different typed of wood used (with different colours) as well as their intersections. Specific Features and Details: On the reverse of the drawing: Black ink pen + watercolour layers (pink, deep pink, yellow, brown, orange, dark...
Dates:
10th January 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/31
Scope and Contents
Full Size drawings illustrating the Joinery between the different wooden blocks composing the Columns in lower museum dashed lines designs the profile of the column in the point of its maximum radius. the drawing illustrates in full size the constructive details about the joints between the different wooden blocks covering the Lower Museum Columns. The two details are referred respectively to the base and the top...
Dates:
5th January 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/29
Scope and Contents
Full Size drawings illustrating the Joinery between the different wooden blocks composing the Pilasters in upper museum the drawing illustrates in full size the constructive details about the joints between the different wooden blocks covering the Upper Museum Pilasters. The two details are referred respectively to the base and the top of the pilaster due to its tapered shape. A small sketch in the upper part illustrates the...
Dates:
3rd January 1818
