Henry Percy Adams
Henry Percy Adams (26 October 1865 – 7 April 1930), 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.
Also recorded as Percy Adams
Henry Percy Adams

Unknown author Unknown author from studio of Elliott Fry · Contemporary Biographies, by W.T. Pike (d.1924), including "London at the opening of the Twentieth Century". (Pike's New Century Series no.15). Published in 1905 by W.T. Pike Co., 19 Grand Parade, Br · Public domain
- Name
- Henry Percy Adams
- Born
- 26 October 1865
- Birthplace
- Ipswich, Suffolk
- Died
- 7 April 1930
- Place of death
- Westminster, London,
- Awards
- RIBA Drawing Prize in 1888 Donaldson Medal (for Architecture) (1896) Godwin Bursary (1897)
- Nationality
- United Kingdom · United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Occupation
- architect · painter
- Education
- Epsom College · Royal Academy Schools
- Honours
- Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects
- Languages
- English
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Henry Percy Adams (26 October 1865 – 7 April 1930), 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.
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wikidata · Q16029997 · wikipedia · Henry Percy Adams
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Henry Percy Adams • Born — 26 October 1865 • Birthplace — Ipswich, Suffolk • Died — 7 April 1930 • Place of death — Westminster, London, • Practice — Adams, Holden & Pearson • Significant Buildings — Dorking New Infirmary in Surrey • Awards — RIBA Drawing Prize in 1888 Donaldson Medal (for Architecture) (1896) Godwin Bursary (1897)
Early life and education
Early life and education
Henry Percy Adams was born 26 October 1865 to Alice (née Heal) (1840–1888) and Webster Adams (1841–1900), 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 (1864–1895). Adams left Epsom in 1879 and moved to Gould House, Dedham, Essex, later he articled under Brightwen Binyon (1846–1909) - 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
Career in architecture
In 1888, Adams joined the architectural office of Stephen Salter (1825–1896) 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 (for Architecture) and Godwin Bursary (established by George Godwin). 1913 Adams took over Stephen Salter's architectural practice. Charles Holden, (originally his assistant in 1899 and then later his Chief designer) and Lionel Pearson (1879–1953, who had attended Liverpool University School of Architecture), both joined the practice in 1904. The practice then changed its name to Adams, Holden, and Pearson.
Major works
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, near Midhurst, West Sussex (mainly designed by partner Holden; closed in 2006, converted into apartments) • 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 (now known as 'Rignall's Wood'), Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire for Gertrude Jekyll • 1910 – Bristol Royal Infirmary New Ward & Pavilions, Gloucestershire (with Charles Holden) • 1910 – Savoy Place, before the (Institution of Electrical Engineers) (IEE) 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
Personal life
On 22 May 1890, he married Cicillia Clara Staddon (1865–1891) in Ipswich, Suffolk. In 1891 their son was born, his wife died after giving birth. In 1896 Henry married Alice Mildred Mathieson (aunt of Sir Frederick Ashton). They had two sons and a daughter. Adams died on 7 April 1930 at Westminster Hospital in London, aged 64.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1865
Henry Percy Adams was born on 26 October 1865.
1930
Henry Percy Adams died on 7 April 1930.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Ipswich.
Birth place
Westminster.
Death place
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q16029997: Henry Percy Adams
General reference · Wikidata
reference work
- “Henry Percy Adams”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Manchester Victorian Architects. Architects of Greater Manchester-Henry Percy Adams. manchestervictorianarchitects.org.uk.
- 2.genealogy.kirkpatrickaustralian.com. Family: Harry Percy ADAMS/Cecilia Clara STADDON (F6854).
- 3.www.benedictheal.com. Family of Harry Percy ADAMS and Cicillia Clara STADDON.
- 4.www.suffolkpainters.co.uk. ADAMS, (Harry) Percy.
- 5.Darlington, Neil. Harrry Percy Adams. manchestervictorianarchitects.org.uk. Architects of Greater Manchester 1800-1940.
- 6.archive.epsomcollege.org.uk. 1851–1889 / 1855–1889.
- 7.Sam Smiles (Editor)
- 8.Brodie. Directory of British Architects, 1834–1914: Vol. 2 (L–Z). Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd. 147. 1 July 2001. 978-0826455147.
- 9.www.ucl.ac.uk. Donaldson Medal.
- 10.Powers, Alan. Holden, Charles. Grove Art Online. 2003. 10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.t038611.
- 11.www.scottisharchitects.org.uk. Tile Gazetteer – Bedfordshire. 2005.
- 12.Brooks, Alan. Worcestershire (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England). Nikolaus Pevsner. 848. 6 July 2007. 978-0300112986.
- 13.www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Chapel at Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne. 1999.
- 14.archiseek.com. H. Percy Adams. 1906.
- 15.www.scottisharchitects.org.uk. DSA Architect Biography Report (October 14, 2013, 4:33 pm).
- 16.1026020. The former King Edward VII Hospital. II*.
- 17.www.cityandcountry.co.uk. King Edward VII – History.
- 18.Levine, Lynn A. Frommer's Istanbul. John Wiley & Sons. 194. 2010. 978-0470591574.
- 19.Seaman's hospital at Galata. www.levantineheritage.com.
- 20.www.british-history.ac.uk. Competitors and published designs Appendix 2. 1991.
- 21.www.ced.berkeley.edu. Title: Letter to G. Jekyll from H. Percy Adams. 3 March 1909.
- 22.Savoy Place History. Institution of Engineering and Technology.
- 23.www.benedictheal.com. Family of Harry Percy ADAMS and Alice Mildred MATHIESON.
- 24.Mr H Percy Adams - A Designer of Hospitals. 45483. 21. 9 April 140.
References
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Henry Percy Adams is recorded as a citizen of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Recorded with the occupation architect.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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