A.W. van Dam Anthonie Willem van Dam was born in The Hague in 1815. Orphaned at an early age, he received his education through the Burgerweeshuis in The Hague. He took lessons from architect A. Roodenburg and at the Haagsche Teeken-academie, later the Koninklijke Academie van Beeldende Kunsten. In 1837, the 22-year-old Van Dam won the Grand Prix, awarded by the Royal Academy of Arts in Amsterdam with a design for a "hospice for the insane. He received a scholarship of 1,200 guilders to complete his studies in Italy and traveled from 1837 to 1841. He first spent a year and a half in Paris, studying at the renowned studio of French architect Henri Labrouste (1801-1875). He continued his journey to Italy, but also spent considerable time in Athens to study the monuments there in situ. He observed that classical architecture was not a fixed, universal and timeless ideal, but argued that it was changeable and subject to development. Architectural forms, he believed, should be adapted to time, location and way of life. His opinion went against the views of the prestigious French Académie, but also led to consternation in the Netherlands. During his trip, Van Dam sent the Academy reports of his findings and progress. In addition, he was required to submit an annual aptitude test. From Labrouste's studio, he sent a design for a Royal Theatre in August 1838, consisting of three washed drawings. These were judged to be very good. Back in Holland, Van Dam settled in Rotterdam after winning a competition with his design for the Zuiderkerk in that city. The design was realized, as were many mansions, villas, schools, stores, warehouses and factories in and around Rotterdam. In Gorinchem, the former city hall (1859-1860) designed by A.W. van Dam can be admired. It now houses the Gorcums Museum. In addition to his architectural practice, Van Dam was involved in the founding of the Maatschappij tot Bevordering der Bouwkunst in 1842. He was a member of the editorial board of the society's journal, the Bouwkundige Bijdragen. For a period of 35 years he was a lecturer in architecture at the Academy of Visual Arts and Technical Sciences in Rotterdam. In 1892 Van Dam decided to give up his architectural practice and moved to The Hague, the residence of his children, where he died in 1901. Note: the oeuvre of A.W. van Dam has not been (completely) inventoried. Education: Haagsche Teeken-academie/;Study trip France and Italy/1837-1841 Secondary activities: Tijdschrift Bouwkundige Bijdragen/ editor/;Academy of Visual Arts and Technical Sciences, Rotterdam/ lecturer/