Architect. One of the most prominent architects of 18th century Great Britain, he was appointed as the Royal Architect of the King’s Works, serving from 1761 to 1769. Robert was born on July 3, 1728 at Gladney House in Kirkcaldy, Fife .He was the son of William Adam, the country’s foremost architect of the time, and trained under him. Robert and his older brother John took over the family business after William’s (their father) death in 1748. In 1754 he left for Rome, spending nearly five years on the continent studying architecture under Charles-Louis Clérisseau and Giovanni Battista Piranesi. Upon his return to Britain he and his younger brother James established a practice in London. He influenced the development of Western architecture, both in Europe and in North America. Adam had long suffered from stomach and bowel problems, probably caused by a peptic ulcer and irritable bowel syndrome. While at home on Albermarle Street, London – on March 1, 1792, one of the ulcers burst, and on March 3, 1792 Robert died. (bio by: Shock) Cause of death: Ruptured ulcer