Henry Adams was born in Limehouse, Middlesex [London] England on 24 March 1846 the son of John Henry Adams, a civil engineer. He studied at King's College, London and commenced independent practice as an architect in 1877. His practice focused primarily on industrial, commercial and public architecture. Adams was also art master at Bromley Institute and lectured at the Architectural Association in London. He was Professor of Engineering and Building Construction at the City of London College and was President of the Institution of Structural Engineers. He was awarded the Institution's first Gold Medal in 1922, the second not being awarded until 1954. A ground floor room in the headquarters is named after him. He was the author of several books on building construction and structural design.
Adams was elected a Member of the Society of Architects (MSA) in 1886 and was admitted a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1925. He was awarded the RIBA Queen's Medal. He died in Lewisham, London on 13 August 1935.
Many engineering factories, workshops, offices and subsidiary buildings; six 300-ton coal hoppers, manager's residence, offices, etc., at Seaham Coal Wharf; and other coal wharves and Jetties; responsible with other architects for the structural steelwork of several theatres, hotels, factories, warehouses and mills; the roof trusses of many churches and public halls; church spires, towers, groined vaulting, etc.; several reinforced concrete picture palaces, warehouses and factories; tall chimneys and heavy foundations. Practice mostly consulting
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001