Historian Martyn Taylor looks at the lasting legacy left in Bury St Edmunds by famous architect and designer Robert Adam

The famous designer and architect Robert Adam (1728-92) was born in Kirkaldy, Fife, but has a notable connection to Bury St Edmunds.

The son of William Adam, also an architect, Robert went to Edinburgh University but left prematurely in 1745 to help in his father’s business which was under heavy strain. His father died in 1748 and Robert and his brother John, also an architect, took over.

By 1754 the business was doing so well Robert went on the Grand Tour of Europe. He returned to England in 1757/8 and set up in business in London.

Major patrons were fellow Scots the Duke of Argyle and Lord Bute, George III’s First Minister. Robert was given the newly created post of Architect of the King's Works, with a salary of £300 per annum, a tidy sum in those days.

Although Robert was for over 30 years one of the busiest architects in the country, his work concentrated on what we term today as being a designer, as most of the great mansions of the day had already been built for the gentry. Rarely did he have the opportunity to build a house from foundations to finish.

From 1760-80 he was the most fashionable architect in the country but in his later years was eclipsed by notable architects such as James Wyatt, consequently Robert was confined to carrying out work in Scotland.

He was asked to carry out works on a house for Professor John Symonds, Professor of Modern History at Cambridge University, and according to Symonds’ diary, the foundation stone was laid on April 12, 1773. This property – the drawing room of which was a fine example of Adam’s work –became known as St Edmunds Hill (now Moreton Hall), then The Mount, hence today's Mount Road. (One thing that has always puzzled me is where the name Moreton Hall came from?)

In the wonderful Soane Museum, in Lincoln's Inn Fields, the Adam collection there includes two chimney piece designs for St Edmund’s Hill.

Impressed by Adam’s work, the Bury Corporation employed him to rebuild the Market Cross in collaboration with notable local stonemason Thomas Singleton. This was carried out in 1774/5.

Much of Adam's work has been copied, for instance there is the 'Adam style' ballroom in the Athenaeum.

Robert Adam died suddenly on March 3, 1792, and is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Martyn Taylor is a local historian, author and Bury Tour Guide. His latest book, Going Underground: Bury St Edmunds, is widely available.