 He was a "strong defender of the importance of Greek philosophy in a well-rounded education" and "a resolute opponent of all attempts to make Greek an optional study".He was also a "keen supporter of the claims of women to degrees, when the question came before the senate of the university in 1897"

In 1904 and 1905 Adam delivered the Gifford Lectures at Aberdeen, choosing for his subject "The Religious Teachers of Greece".He died in Aberdeen on 30 August 1907.