The Cyclopaedia of English Literature contains a series of admirably selected extracts from the best authors of every period, “set in a biographical and critical history of the literature itself.” For the Life of Burns he made diligent and laborious original investigations, gathering many hitherto unrecorded facts from the poet’s sister, Mrs Begg, to whose benefit the whole profits of the work were generously devoted. Chambers’s Encyclopaedia (1859–1868), with Dr Andrew Findlater as editor, was carried out under the superintendence of the brothers (see Encyclopaedia). After fourteen numbers had appeared, however, he was associated with his brother as joint-editor, and his collaboration contributed more perhaps than anything else to the success of the Journal.Īmong the other numerous works of which Robert was in whole or in part the author, the Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Scotsmen (4 vols., Glasgow, 1832–1835), the Cyclopaedia of English Literature (1844), the Life and Works of Robert Burns (4 vols., 1851), Ancient Sea Margins (1848), the Domestic Annals of Scotland (3 vols., 1859–1861) and the Book of Days (2 vols., 1862–1864) were the most important. In the beginning of 1832 William Chambers started a weekly publication under the title of Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal (known since 1854 as Chambers’s Journal of Literature, Science and Arts), which speedily attained a large circulation. A History of the Rebellions in Scotland from 1638 to 1745 (5 vols., 1828) and numerous other works followed. Robert Chambers showed an enthusiastic interest in the history and antiquities of Edinburgh, and found a most congenial task in his Traditions of Edinburgh (2 vols., 1824), which secured for him the approval and the personal friendship of Sir Walter Scott. In 1819 his elder brother William had begun a similar business, and the two eventually united as partners in the publishing firm of W. He was then only sixteen, and his whole stock consisted of a few old books belonging to his father. The family removed to Edinburgh in 1813, and in 1818 Robert began business as a bookstall-keeper in Leith Walk. At twelve I was deep, not only in poetry and fiction, but in encyclopaedias.” Robert had been destined for the church, but this design had to be abandoned for lack of means. Long afterwards he wrote of his early years-“Books, not playthings, filled my hands in childhood. A small circulating library in the town, and a copy of the Encyclopaedia Britannica which his father had purchased, furnished him with stores of reading of which he eagerly availed himself. He was sent to the local schools, and gave evidence of unusual literary taste and ability. It is famous for its Scottish heritage, its thorough coverage of obscure words, and its unique personality that comes across in a definition style that is both useful and witty. CHAMBERS, ROBERT (1802–1871), Scottish author and publisher, was born at Peebles on the 10th of July 1802. It is regarded as the dictionary of choice for crossword setters and solvers, and is popular with players of wordgames such as Scrabble(R) and Words With Friends(R).
The Chambers Dictionary is now the UK's number 1 selling hardback dictionary.
There are over 1,000 new words and meanings, and there is also a brand new two-colour Word Lover's Ramble, showing how English words and definitions have changed over the history of The Chambers Dictionary. This 13th edition retains the much-loved features of The Chambers Dictionary, including the unique, quirky definitions. Yet it remains lighter and easier to hold, and now has an even more durable jacket so that it will be a beautiful hardback reference for many years to come. 'CHAMBERS IS AN OPEN DOOR TO WORDS AT THEIR WITTIEST, MOST ROOTED, MOST REVEALING, AND MOST POWERFUL' Ali Smithįirst published in 1872, The Chambers Dictionary contains more words, phrases and meanings than any other single-volume English dictionary. 'THE MOST HUMAN OF DICTIONARIES' Philip Pullman 'CHAMBERS IS A MARVEL OF WIT, CLARITY AND PRACTICALITY' Observer ' THE CHAMBERS DICTIONARY IS THE MOST USEFUL AND DIVERTING SINGLE-VOLUME WORD-HOARD AVAILABLE' Telegraph