William Henry Playfair

William Henry Playfair was born in July 1789 in Russell Square, London, England. He was the son of James Playfair and Rachel Barclay.

On his father's death he went to live with Professor Playfair, his uncle, in Edinburgh. Like his father he became an architect, favouring the classical style. It is largely through him that Edinburgh is known as the Athens of the North. He designed much of the New Town and finished Adam's design for the Old Edinburgh University. Other achievements include the Royal Scottish Academy and National Gallery, Surgeons Hall, Donaldson's Hospital, the Old Observatory, and many others. (Wording of Margaret Troupe.)

William Henry Playfair died in 1857. He was buried in Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh, Scotland. The Playfair Steps leading to the Mound were erected to his memory.

This information about William Henry Playfair is from the histories of the Troup and Robertson families compiled in 2001 and 2003 by Margaret Elizabeth Troupe of Stockton-on-Tees, England, unless otherwise noted.