Biography of James Adam:

1732 - Born on July 21, 1732.  1755 - James worked on Gunsgreen House in the Border town of Eyemouth.

 1758 - Robert, James and their younger brother William Adam started their business in London (living in Lower Grosvenor Steet), focusing on designing complete schemes for the decoration and furnishing of houses. Palladian design was popular, but Robert had evolved a new, more flexible style incorporating elements of classic Roman design alongside influences from Greek, Byzantine and Baroque styles.

The Adam brothers' success can also be attributed to a desire to design everything down to the smallest detail, ensuring a sense of unity in their designs.  1760-1793 - James succeeded Robert as Architect of the King's Works in 1768 just before work on the brothers' Adelphi project (1768-1772) almost bankrupted the firm (the business employed other notable architects including Joseph Bonomi (1739-1808) who, from 1768, remained with the Adams until 1781).