Playfair, William Henry, 1790-1857 (architect)
Person
Dates
- Existence: 1790-1857
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:
Elevation (Full Size) of Capitol of Pilasters for Lower Museum, 6th March 1819
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/97
Scope and Contents
Elevation of pilaster capitol with dimensions
Dates:
6th March 1819
Elevation (Full Size) of Ionic Cornice for Upper Museum, 18th August 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/70
Scope and Contents
Line drawing with areas of shading showing decorative detail
Dates:
18th August 1818
Elevation of Base & Capital of Columns & Pilasters of Venetian Window in the Building at the South Western Angle, 24th February 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/44
Scope and Contents
Elevation showing the outline of a pilaster beside a venetian window at the south western angle little holes along the outer line of base and capital suggest that the drawing might have been used by artisans realizing the stone pieces. the continuos lines designs the outline of the colums while dhased lines make reference to the position of hidden elements. slopy line at the bottom for weathering. Pink watercolor to...
Dates:
24th February 1818
Elevation of Cabinet of Upper Museum Explaining their Interminal Construction, 19th May 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/56
Scope and Contents
elevation of lower cabinet supporting the door to be removed section of lower cabinet showing the elevation of upper carcase ( two pictures) section of lower cabinet which is indicated the wooden construction and also shows the depth of the cabinet at the centre of the museum. also in the section, we can see how different type of woods are constructed together (also see the wooden decorations at the top and bottom of...
Dates:
19th May 1818
Elevation of Cabinets for the Upper Museum, 2nd February 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/34
Scope and Contents
Elevation of Cabinets for the Upper Museum showing details and decoration pattern of the cabinets foliage pattern the cabinets is strictly symmetrical. the left side of this drawings illustrates the Greek decoration pattern of architrave and pilasters. Also showing the details of balusters and freize using grey colour to indicate the shadow and thick of small details On the reverse of the drawing:...
Dates:
2nd February 1818
Elevation of Cabinets for the Upper Museum Side, 2nd February 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/35
Scope and Contents
Elevation of Cabinets for the Upper Museum showing details and decoration pattern of the cabinets foliage pattern the cabinets is strictly symmetrical. the left side of this drawings illustrates the Greek decoration pattern of architrave and pilasters. Also showing the details of balusters and (name?) using grey colour to indicate the shadow and thick of small details On the reverse of the drawing:...
Dates:
2nd February 1818
Elevation of ionic Capitol for Columns in Upper Museum, 2nd July 1819
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/122
Scope and Contents
Partial full size elevation of Ionic volute and capitol ornament
Dates:
2nd July 1819
Elevation of Southern Front of the Building at the South Western Angle, 13th September 1817
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/14
Scope and Contents
elevation is simplified (compared with other kind of drawings) no details of windows or doors showing the roof and skylight chemistry class showing details of decoration of the façade showing the masonry work at the pavement level
On the reverse of the drawing: Black ink pen watercolour layers (different grey colour showing the light and shadow )
On the reverse of the drawing: Black ink pen watercolour layers (different grey colour showing the light and shadow )
Dates:
13th September 1817
Elevation of the Baluster &c below Venetian Window, 16th December 1817
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/26
Scope and Contents
Elevation of the Baluster &c below Venetian Window
little holes on the paper indicates it might have been used by the artisans realizing the detail
showing the outline of baluster showing the measurement detail of the craftsman showing the slope of windowsill
On the reverse of the drawing: Black ink pen watercolour layers (pink )
little holes on the paper indicates it might have been used by the artisans realizing the detail
showing the outline of baluster showing the measurement detail of the craftsman showing the slope of windowsill
On the reverse of the drawing: Black ink pen watercolour layers (pink )
Dates:
16th December 1817
Elevation of the Cabinets for the Upper Museum - Northern and Southern Ends, 8th May 1818
Item
Identifier: Coll-13/1/1/55
Scope and Contents
elevation drawing of cabinets
elevation of the east end cabinets of the museum showing the perfectly symmetrical arrangement both below and above the gallery
On the reverse of the drawing: Black ink pen, light pencil traits outlining parts of decoration
elevation of the east end cabinets of the museum showing the perfectly symmetrical arrangement both below and above the gallery
On the reverse of the drawing: Black ink pen, light pencil traits outlining parts of decoration
Dates:
8th May 1818