A history of James Craig’s hall for the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Abstract

The architectural history of the College’s George Street hall, completed in 1781, has commonly been overlooked because it was demolished and deemed to have been a disappointment to both its owners and its architect, James Craig.¹ This article reassesses the College’s ambitions and Craig’s efforts to match them, by accounting for the number of drawings which were made for the site and building, Craig’s sources of inspiration and the building’s appearance and influence. The paper reveals that the hall was actually intended to be part of a larger complex of buildings and rival Register House as the New Town’s most impressive public edifice. The building has not been examined in this way before, and Craig’s use of his library, drawing equipment and knowledge of London’s architects and architecture are discussed to offer insight into his personal vision for the hall’s appearance and meaning.