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⚫ {{Short description|Scottish engineer and road-builder (1756–1836)}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2012}}
⚫ {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Other people|John McAdam}} {{Other people|John McAdam}}
{{More footnotes|date=March 2010}} {{Use British English|date=October 2012}}
⚫ {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
<!--as John MacAdam redirects here-->
{{Infobox engineer {{Infobox engineer
|image =John Loudon McAdam.jpg | image = John Loudon McAdam.jpg
|image_size = 150 | image_size = 220
|caption = | caption = Engraving of McAdam at the ]
|name = John Loudon McAdam | name = John Loudon McAdam
|nationality = ] | nationality = ]
|birth_date = 21 September 1756 | citizenship = Scottish
|birth_place = ], Scotland | birth_date = 23 September 1756<ref name="OPR" />
|death_date = {{death date and age|1836|11|26|1756|9|21|df=y}} | birth_place = ], Scotland
| death_date = {{death date and age|1836|11|26|1756|9|21|df=y}}
|death_place = ], ], Scotland | death_place = ], ], Scotland
|education = | education =
|spouse = | spouse =
|parents = | parents =
|children = | children =
|discipline = | discipline =
|institutions = | institutions =
|practice_name = | practice_name =
|significant_projects = | significant_projects =
|significant_design = | significant_design =
|significant_advance = "]isation" | significant_advance = "]isation"
|significant_awards = | significant_awards =
}} }}
]
⚫ '''John Loudon McAdam''' (21 September 1756 – 26 November 1836) was a ] engineer and road-builder. He invented a new process, "]isation", for building roads with a smooth hard surface that would be more durable and less muddy than ]-based tracks.


⚫ '''John Loudon McAdam''' (23 September 1756<ref name="OPR">{{Cite web |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XY88-68G |title=FamilySearch.org |website=]}}</ref>&nbsp;–&nbsp;26 November 1836) was a Scottish civil engineer and road-builder. He invented a new process, "]isation", for building roads with a smooth hard surface, using controlled materials of mixed particle size and predetermined structure, that would be more durable and less muddy than ]-based tracks.
Modern road construction still reflects McAdam's influence. Of subsequent improvements, the most significant was the introduction of ] (originally ]) to bind the road surface's stones together – "]" (for Tar Macadam) – followed later by the use of hot-laid tarred ] or tar-sprayed chippings to create better ]. More recently, ]-based ] laid on ] has become a major road surface, but its use of granite or ] chippings still recalls McAdam's innovation.


Modern road construction still reflects McAdam's influence. Of subsequent improvements, the most significant was the introduction of ] (originally ]) to bind the road surface's stones together, "]" (for Tar Macadam.)
==Early life==
⚫ McAdam was born in ], Scotland.<ref name=odnb>{{cite book|last=Buchanan|first=Brenda J.|title=]|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford, England|date=May 2007|chapter=McAdam, John Loudon }}</ref> He was the youngest of ten children and second son of the Baron of Waterhead. The family name had traditionally been McGregor, but was changed to McAdam (claiming descent from the Biblical ]) for political reasons in ]'s reign.<ref>{{cite book
| last =Lay
| first =M G
| authorlink =
| title = Ways of the World
| publisher =Primavera Press
| year =1992
| location =Sydney
| pages =401
⚫ | isbn = 1-875368-05-1 }} pp. 74–75</ref> He moved to New York in 1770 and, as a ] and ] during the ], made his fortune working at his uncle's ]. He returned to Scotland in 1783 and purchased an ] at Sauchrie, ].


==Road builder== == Early life ==
⚫ McAdam was born in ], Scotland.<ref name="odnb">{{cite ODNB |last=Buchanan |first=Brenda J. |edition=Online |year=2004 |title=McAdam, John Loudon (1756–1836) |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/17325?docPos=1 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/17325}}</ref> He was the youngest of ten children and second son of the Baron of Waterhead. He moved to Lagwine at ] when still a child to live with his grandparents. The family name was traditionally McGregor, but was changed to McAdam (claiming descent from the Biblical ]) for political reasons in ]'s reign.<ref name="Lay">{{cite book |last=Lay |first=M. G. |title=Ways of the World |publisher=Primavera Press |year=1992 |location=Sydney |isbn=1-875368-05-1 |pages=74–77}}</ref>
⚫ McAdam became a trustee of the Ayrshire Turnpike in 1783 and became increasingly involved with day-to-day road construction over the next 10 years. In 1802 he moved to ], England and he became general surveyor for the Bristol Corporation in 1804. He put forward his ideas in evidence to ] enquiries in 1810, 1819 and 1823.<ref>Ley (1992), p. 77</ref> In two ]s written in 1816 and 1819 (''Remarks on the Present System of Road-Making'' and ''Practical Essay on the Scientific Repair and Preservation of Roads'') he argued that roads needed to be raised above the surrounding ground and constructed from layered rocks and gravel in a systematic manner.


⚫ He moved to ] in 1770 and, as a ] and ] during the ], made his fortune working at his uncle ]'s ].<ref name="EB1911">{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=McAdam, John Loudon |volume=17 |page=190}}</ref> He returned to Scotland in 1783 and purchased an ] at Sauchrie, ].<ref name="EB1911" />
⚫ McAdam had also been appointed ] to the Bristol ] in 1816, where he decided to remake the roads under his care with crushed ] bound with gravel on a firm base of large stones.<ref>A. W. Skempton (2002). ''A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland: 1500–1830''. p.416. Thomas Telford, 2002 </ref> A ], making the road slightly convex, ensured rainwater rapidly drained off the road rather than penetrate and damage the road's foundations. This construction method, the greatest advance in road construction since ] times, became known as "macadamisation", or, more simply, "]".

Besides taking part in local Ayrshire affairs, McAdam operated the Kaims Colliery. The colliery supplied coal to the British Tar Company, of ], and partners in the ] trade; McAdam ran its ]s. He further was involved in the ironworks at ], which was a customer for the coke byproduct of the tar business. This business connection is the only direct relationship of McAdam and tar.<ref>{{cite book |first=William H. |last=Chaloner |title=People and Industries |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eAA5M2eIWqwC&pg=PA55 |access-date=2013-05-07 |year=1963 |location=London |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-7146-1284-3 |pages=55–6}}</ref>

== Career ==
]
⚫ McAdam became a trustee of the Ayrshire Turnpike in 1783 and became increasingly involved with day-to-day road construction over the next 10 years. In 1802 he moved to ], England and he became general surveyor for the Bristol Corporation in 1804. He put forward his ideas in evidence to ] enquiries in 1810, 1819 and 1823.<ref name="Lay" /> In two ]s written in 1816 and 1819 (''Remarks on the Present System of Road-Making'' and ''Practical Essay on the Scientific Repair and Preservation of Roads'') he argued that roads needed to be raised above the surrounding ground and constructed from layered rocks and gravel in a systematic manner.
]
⚫ McAdam had also been appointed ] to the Bristol ] in 1816, where he decided to remake the roads under his care with crushed ] bound with gravel on a firm base of large stones.<ref>{{cite book |editor=Skempton, A. W. |editor-link=Alec Skempton |year=2002 |title=A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland: 1500–1830 |page=416 |location=London |publisher=Thomas Telford}}</ref> A ], making the road slightly convex, ensured rainwater rapidly drained off the road rather than penetrate and damage the road's foundations. This construction method, the greatest advance in road construction since ] times, became known as "macadamisation", or, more simply, "]".
<!--This material covered by ] article?: When a macadam road was built, side ditches were dug, and the road bed was laid with three layers of decreasingly-sized rocks, carefully pulverised "so as not to exceed 6 ounces in weight or to pass a two-inch ring." The finished road was compacted with a ] roller, and the compaction process was completed by passing traffic.--> <!--This material covered by ] article?: When a macadam road was built, side ditches were dug, and the road bed was laid with three layers of decreasingly-sized rocks, carefully pulverised "so as not to exceed 6 ounces in weight or to pass a two-inch ring." The finished road was compacted with a ] roller, and the compaction process was completed by passing traffic.-->


The macadam method spread very quickly across the world. The first macadam road in North America, the ], was completed in the 1830s and most of the main roads in Europe were subject to the McAdam process by the end of the nineteenth century.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} The macadam method spread very quickly across the world. The first macadam road in North America, the ], was completed in the 1830s and most of the main roads in Europe were subject to the McAdam process by the end of the nineteenth century.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Loudon MacAdam |url=http://www.electricscotland.com/history/other/macadam_john.htm |publisher=Electric Scotland |access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref>


Although McAdam was paid ]5,000 for his Bristol Turnpike Trust work and made "Surveyor-General of Metropolitan Roads" in 1820, professional jealousy cut a £5,000 grant for expenses from the ] to £2,000 in 1827.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} His efficient road-building and management work had revealed the corruption and abuse of ]s by unscrupulous Turnpike Trusts, many of which were run at a deliberate loss despite high toll receipts. Although McAdam was paid ]5,000 for his Bristol Turnpike Trust work and made "Surveyor-General of Metropolitan Roads" in 1820, professional jealousy cut a £5,000 grant for expenses from the ] to £2,000 in 1827.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Edkins |first1=Richard |title=John Loudon McAdam, Road Engineer (1756–1836) |url=http://www.dalbeattie.com/moffat/people/macadam.html |publisher=Moffat Business and Tourism |access-date=12 October 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203254/http://www.dalbeattie.com/moffat/people/macadam.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> His efficient road-building and management work had revealed the corruption and abuse of ] by unscrupulous turnpike trusts, many of which were run at a deliberate loss despite high toll receipts.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}


== Death and descendants == == Death and descendants ==
McAdam died in ], ], while returning to his home in ], Hertfordshire, from his annual summer visit to Scotland. His three sons, and in turn four grandsons, followed him into the profession and assisted with the management of ] around the country. His second surviving son, ], the "Colossus of Roads", was ] for managing turnpike trusts—a knighthood, it is said, previously offered to his father but declined.<ref name="odnb"/> McAdam died in ], ], while returning to his home in ], Hertfordshire, from his annual summer visit to Scotland. His three sons, and in turn four grandsons, followed him into the profession and assisted with the management of ]s around the country. His second surviving son, James Nicoll McAdam, the "Colossus of Roads", was ] for managing turnpike trusts: a knighthood, it is said, previously offered to his father but declined.<ref name="odnb" />
{{-}}


==Notes== == References ==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


{{refbegin}}
==References==
* Devereux, Roy (1936). ''John Loudon McAdam: Chapters in the History of Highways''. London: Oxford University Press. * Devereux, Roy (1936). ''John Loudon McAdam: Chapters in the History of Highways''. London: Oxford University Press.
{{refend}}


== External links == == External links ==
{{Commons category|John Loudon McAdam|<br />John Loudon McAdam}} * {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Wikisource-inline}}
{{Wikisource1911Enc|MacAdam, John Loudon}}
* {{OL author|5286030A}}
* by John Loudon McAdam, 1821, from ] * by John Loudon McAdam, 1821, from ]
*

⚫ {{Authority control}}


⚫ {{Authority control|VIAF=15548384}}
{{Persondata
|NAME=McAdam, John Loudon
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
⚫ |SHORT DESCRIPTION=] engineer and road-builder
|DATE OF BIRTH=21 September 1756
|PLACE OF BIRTH=], Scotland
|DATE OF DEATH=26 November 1836
|PLACE OF DEATH=], ], Scotland
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McAdam, John Loudon}} {{DEFAULTSORT:McAdam, John Loudon}}
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Latest revision as of 06:21, 24 November 2024

Scottish engineer and road-builder (1756–1836) For other people named John McAdam, see John McAdam (disambiguation).

John Loudon McAdam
Engraving of McAdam at the British Museum
Born23 September 1756
Ayr, Scotland
Died26 November 1836(1836-11-26) (aged 80)
Moffat, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
NationalityScottish
CitizenshipScottish
OccupationEngineer
Engineering career
Significant advance"Macadamisation"
John Loudon McAdam, 1830, National Gallery, London

John Loudon McAdam (23 September 1756 – 26 November 1836) was a Scottish civil engineer and road-builder. He invented a new process, "macadamisation", for building roads with a smooth hard surface, using controlled materials of mixed particle size and predetermined structure, that would be more durable and less muddy than soil-based tracks.

Modern road construction still reflects McAdam's influence. Of subsequent improvements, the most significant was the introduction of tar (originally coal tar) to bind the road surface's stones together, "tarmac" (for Tar Macadam.)

Early life

McAdam was born in Ayr, Scotland. He was the youngest of ten children and second son of the Baron of Waterhead. He moved to Lagwine at Carsphairn when still a child to live with his grandparents. The family name was traditionally McGregor, but was changed to McAdam (claiming descent from the Biblical Adam) for political reasons in James VI's reign.

He moved to New York in 1770 and, as a merchant and prize agent during the American Revolution, made his fortune working at his uncle William McAdam's counting house. He returned to Scotland in 1783 and purchased an estate at Sauchrie, Ayrshire.

Besides taking part in local Ayrshire affairs, McAdam operated the Kaims Colliery. The colliery supplied coal to the British Tar Company, of Archibald Cochrane, 9th Earl of Dundonald, and partners in the coal tar trade; McAdam ran its kilns. He further was involved in the ironworks at Muirkirk, which was a customer for the coke byproduct of the tar business. This business connection is the only direct relationship of McAdam and tar.

Career

Memorial stone to John Loudon McAdam

McAdam became a trustee of the Ayrshire Turnpike in 1783 and became increasingly involved with day-to-day road construction over the next 10 years. In 1802 he moved to Bristol, England and he became general surveyor for the Bristol Corporation in 1804. He put forward his ideas in evidence to Parliamentary enquiries in 1810, 1819 and 1823. In two treatises written in 1816 and 1819 (Remarks on the Present System of Road-Making and Practical Essay on the Scientific Repair and Preservation of Roads) he argued that roads needed to be raised above the surrounding ground and constructed from layered rocks and gravel in a systematic manner.

Macadam road diagram
Layers of macadam roads

McAdam had also been appointed surveyor to the Bristol Turnpike Trust in 1816, where he decided to remake the roads under his care with crushed stone bound with gravel on a firm base of large stones. A camber, making the road slightly convex, ensured rainwater rapidly drained off the road rather than penetrate and damage the road's foundations. This construction method, the greatest advance in road construction since Roman times, became known as "macadamisation", or, more simply, "macadam".

The macadam method spread very quickly across the world. The first macadam road in North America, the National Road, was completed in the 1830s and most of the main roads in Europe were subject to the McAdam process by the end of the nineteenth century.

Although McAdam was paid £5,000 for his Bristol Turnpike Trust work and made "Surveyor-General of Metropolitan Roads" in 1820, professional jealousy cut a £5,000 grant for expenses from the Parliament of the United Kingdom to £2,000 in 1827. His efficient road-building and management work had revealed the corruption and abuse of road tolls by unscrupulous turnpike trusts, many of which were run at a deliberate loss despite high toll receipts.

Death and descendants

McAdam died in Moffat, Dumfriesshire, while returning to his home in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, from his annual summer visit to Scotland. His three sons, and in turn four grandsons, followed him into the profession and assisted with the management of turnpike trusts around the country. His second surviving son, James Nicoll McAdam, the "Colossus of Roads", was knighted for managing turnpike trusts: a knighthood, it is said, previously offered to his father but declined.

References

  1. ^ "FamilySearch.org". FamilySearch.
  2. ^ Buchanan, Brenda J. (2004). "McAdam, John Loudon (1756–1836)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/17325. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  3. ^ Lay, M. G. (1992). Ways of the World. Sydney: Primavera Press. pp. 74–77. ISBN 1-875368-05-1.
  4. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "McAdam, John Loudon" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 190.
  5. Chaloner, William H. (1963). People and Industries. London: Routledge. pp. 55–6. ISBN 978-0-7146-1284-3. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  6. Skempton, A. W., ed. (2002). A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland: 1500–1830. London: Thomas Telford. p. 416.
  7. "John Loudon MacAdam". Electric Scotland. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  8. Edkins, Richard. "John Loudon McAdam, Road Engineer (1756–1836)". Moffat Business and Tourism. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  • Devereux, Roy (1936). John Loudon McAdam: Chapters in the History of Highways. London: Oxford University Press.

External links

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