Son of Andrew Adams, a wholesale draper at Plymouth, and of Eliza Oake his wife. Born at Plymouth on July 4th, 1842, and after education at a private school was apprenticed to W Joseph Square (qv), Surgeon to the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital. Entered St Bartholomew’s Hospital, after being placed in the first class at the London University matriculation examination. He was appointed Assistant Medical Officer of the City of London Lunatic Asylum, his elder brother, Richard Adams, being Superintendent of the Cornwall County Asylum. Adams became part proprietor of Brooke House, Hackney, in 1868, and maintained the asylum at a high state of efficiency until his death. He also lived at 63 Kenninghall Road, which was in direct connection with Brooke House. He was a Justice of the Peace for the County of London and an active member of the Medico-Psychological Association. Adams retired to 117 Cazenove Road, Upper Clapton, and died on June 15th, 1925.