The Builders of Edinburgh New Town 1767-1795

Edinburgh is one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Its New Town enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status and this book provides the hitherto unwritten history about the men who actually built it. Although working for Britain’s greatest architects, Robert Adam and Sir William Chambers, many tradesmen harboured ambitions to build in the New Town themselves and they came to enjoy unprecedented status for their work. Dr Lewis tells their story, based on his PhD research, to bring little-known heroes out of the shadows. He starts with men studying under journeyman-mason George Jameson who wrote a pioneering pattern book for builders. He then focuses on men like William Christie, Duncan Drummond, and John Young who all enjoyed successful careers, John Brough whose business ended in disaster, and James Nisbet who even competed with the great Robert Adam. He concludes by considering the impact the builders had beyond Edinburgh, including abroad. With a foreword by Professor Richard Rodger.