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 163 Collections and/or Records:
Longitudinal Section of the Lower Museum, 3rd July 1817
Longitudinal Section of the interior of Lower Museum
showing the details of the interior(columns, windows, doors, plaster work of the ceiling) showing the iron balustrade on the top of this building showing the different level between the centre and the sides showing the basement arch details
On the reverse of the drawing: Black ink pen watercolour layers (pink, yellow, skyblue, grey )
Lower Doors and Windows of Staircase to Upper Museum, 13th April 1819
Construction details, and elevation of doors in the Staircase
Material relating to Donaldson's Hospital, Edinburgh, and including 4 x letters from W. H. Playfair
Moldings &c. for Lower Gallery of Museum, 23rd April 1819
Elevation, section and details of panel mouldings.
Moldings &ca for Chemistry Class, 8th July 1819
Detail of plaster cornice for circular passage of private staircase and elevation of door from circular passage to Chemistry class.
Moldings and Ornament for Drums of Skylights of Upper Gallery of Museum, 19th February 1819
Section and partial elevation of skylight drum
Moldings for Panels of Dome, No Date
Six small moulding sections. Each section same design but different proportions. Possibly sections taken from moulding at different points on the dome.
Moldings (Full Size) for Cabinets in Chemical Apparatus Room, 17th August 1819
Joining details of the moudlings for cabinets.
Moldings (Full Size) for Cabinets in Gallery of Upper Museum, 18th June 1819
Elevation of Cabinet mouldings
Moldings (Full Size) for Chemistry Class, 7th July 1819
Detail of cornice for the class and wooden cornice for the circular partition.