William Henry Playfair RSA 1789-1857

WIth the likes of Thomas Hamilton, William Henry Playfair can be credited with Edinburgh earning its reputation as 'The Athens of the North'. His buildings are classical monuments in Edinburgh's New Town, many of which are in the Greek Revival style.

He was responsible for designing the Royal Institution, which became the Royal Scottish Academy in 1910, and the neighbouring National Gallery on the Mound.