Memorial to James and John Playfair, Old Calton Burial Ground
Biography
Playfair was born in Benvie near Dundee, where his father was the parish minister. He was the brother of William Playfair the engineer, and the mathematician John Playfair. His son, William Henry Playfair (1790–1857), was also a celebrated architect, responsible for many of the buildings in Edinburgh’s New Town.
James Playfair's works include Melville Castle in Midlothian and the Glens Old Parish Church, Kirriemuir (1786–1788). His most famous building is Cairness House (1791–1797), in Aberdeenshire, which used revolutionary forms of neoclassicism, and is unique in British architecture of the period. Cairness House shows the influence of the French architects Étienne-Louis Boullée and Claude Nicholas Ledoux, and is also notable for having the earliest complete Egyptian room in Britain.
On his death in 1794, most of Playfair's papers were bought by his close friend Sir John Soane and are now housed at Sir John Soane's Museum in London.
james, playfair, architect, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, september, 2022,. This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations September 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message James Playfair 5 August 1755 23 February 1794 was a Scottish architect who worked largely in the neoclassical tradition James PlayfairBorn 1755 08 05 5 August 1755Benvie Forfarshire ScotlandDied23 February 1794 1794 02 23 aged 38 Edinburgh ScotlandOccupationArchitectSpouseJessie GrahamChildrenWilliam Henry PlayfairRelativesJohn Playfair brother William Playfair brother BuildingsCairness HouseGlens Old Parish Church KirriemuirMemorial to James and John Playfair Old Calton Burial GroundBiography EditPlayfair was born in Benvie near Dundee where his father was the parish minister He was the brother of William Playfair the engineer and the mathematician John Playfair His son William Henry Playfair 1790 1857 was also a celebrated architect responsible for many of the buildings in Edinburgh s New Town James Playfair s works include Melville Castle in Midlothian and the Glens Old Parish Church Kirriemuir 1786 1788 His most famous building is Cairness House 1791 1797 in Aberdeenshire which used revolutionary forms of neoclassicism and is unique in British architecture of the period Cairness House shows the influence of the French architects Etienne Louis Boullee and Claude Nicholas Ledoux and is also notable for having the earliest complete Egyptian room in Britain On his death in 1794 most of Playfair s papers were bought by his close friend Sir John Soane and are now housed at Sir John Soane s Museum in London References EditParks amp Gardens UKExternal links EditGazetteer for Scotland Details http www castlehillsberwick com playfairexhibition Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Playfair architect amp oldid 1121873662, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
