ROBERT, the architect of Blackfriars Bridge, London, was the descendant of a family of architects, and was born in Edinburgh in 1734. Having adopted at an early age his hereditary profession, he was sent to the Continent to complete his studies. His enthusiastic prosecution of his art soon brought him into notice. He became a most distinguished pupil, and ultimately a member of the Academy of St Luke at Rome. Returning to England, he executed a design for Blackfriars Bridge, which was chosen from among twenty others. The bridge was begun in 1760, was finished in 1769, and established the fame of its architect. He was employed to erect or improve many edifices throughout the kingdom. The office of engineer to the New River Water-works Company, and the surveyorship of St Paul's Cathedral, were conferred upon him. While holding this latter appointment he suggested the famous inscription to the memory of Wren in St Paul's, "Si monumentum requiras, circumspice." He died in 1821.