Henry Percy Adams
Henry Percy Adams, born Harry Percy Adams, and known professionally as H. Percy Adams, was an Ipswich-born English architect, and fellow of RIBA. He specialised in planning for the building of hospitals.
Early life and education
Henry Percy Adams was born 26 October 1865 to Alice and Webster Adams, a surgeon in Ipswich. His birth name was Harry Percy Adams; his birth and death certificates carry the name, "Harry".He was educated at Epsom College together with his brother Webster Angell Adams. Adams left Epsom in 1879 and moved to Gould House, Dedham, Essex, later he articled under Brightwen Binyon - a locally known architect in Ipswich.
Adams was also a painter and exhibiting member of the Ipswich Fine Art Club. He exhibited in 1886 a watercolour painting called 'Old Windmill' and two monochrome sketches: 'St. Martin's church, Cologne' and 'Tomb of Sir Walter Scott'. Later he exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1888.
Career in architecture
In 1888, Adams joined the architectural office of Stephen Salter at 19 Hanover Square, London. In the same year he won a Drawing Prize of the RIBA in 1888.In 1897 he won the Donaldson Medal and Godwin Bursary.
1913 Adams took over Stephen Salter's architectural practice.
Charles Holden, and Lionel Pearson, both joined the practice in 1904. The practice then changed its name to Adams, Holden, and Pearson.
Major works
- 1897–98 South wing of Bedford General Hospital, with a separate ward designed specifically for children, known as the 'Victoria Ward'
- 1898 – Staircase Hall, Madresfield Court Worcestershire
- 1900–1905 Chapel at Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne. Co-designed with W. L. Newcombe.
- 1900 – Dorking New Infirmary in Surrey
- 1901 – The Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne
- 1901 – Unsuccessful competition design entry for Royal Infirmary, Glasgow
- 1903 – General Hospital, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
- 1903 – King Edward VII Sanatorium, Midhurst, Surrey
- 1903 – Bedford County Hospital, Bedfordshire
- 1904 – Beyoğlu British Seamen's Hospital, Istanbul, initially founded during the Crimean War by the British Foreign Office. It has a tower that provides a clear sightline of any incoming ships
- 1906 – Woman's Hospital in Soho, London
- 1907/1908 Unsuccessfully bid for the County Hall, London design
- 1909 – House Semon, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire for Gertrude Jekyll
- 1910 – Bristol Royal Infirmary New Ward & Pavilions, Gloucestershire
- 1910 – Savoy Place, before the moved in, alterations to the building were carried out by H Percy Adams and Charles Holden. This included renovation of the entrance hall, the lecture theatre and the creation of a library from the long room on the first floor
Personal life
In 1896 Henry married Alice Mildred Mathieson. They had two sons and a daughter.
Adams died on 7 April 1930 at Westminster Hospital in London, aged 64.