William Chambers of Glenormiston
Encyclopedia
William Chambers of Glenormiston or William Chambers (16 April 1800 – 20 May 1883) was a Scottish
publisher and politician, the brother (and business partner) of Robert Chambers. Both brothers were highly influential in the mid-19th century in both scientific and political circles.
and moved to Edinburgh
in 1814 to work in the bookselling trade and soon branched out into printing. He opened his own publishing shop in 1819
>per Wikipedia at Chambers Harrap Publishers
, 1st publication date, retrieval date: 2009-03-09
. With his younger brother, Robert Chambers, he produced books and periodicals of Scottish interest, such as Gazetteer of Scotland. They also made money in promulgating the many new science discoveries as the modern world emerged from prior modes of thinking in such periodicals as the Edinburgh Journal (See below). Their publishing business prospered, and in 1859 – the year in which Chambers's Encyclopaedia
saw the light – he founded a museum and art gallery in Peebles.
As Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1865 to 1869, Chambers was responsible for the restoration of St Giles Cathedral and other major town planning exercises. A street created in his 1867 City Improvement Act was named in his memory (Chambers Street
) and here in its centre stands a statue to him, by local sculptor John Rhind
.
, (known since 1854 as Chambers's Journal of Literature, Science and Arts), which speedily attained a large circulation and to which his younger brother Robert Chambers was at first only a contributor. After fourteen volumes had appeared, Robert became associated with his brother as joint editor, and his collaboration may have contributed more than anything else to the success of the Journal. The two brothers also united as partners in the publishing book publishing firm of W. & R. Chambers Publishers, though it is unclear as to when and by what name, (who owned it as distinct from Williams publishing house initially since Williams' 1819 company far antedates Roberts billing as an co-editor (much less co-publisher) and which was to become (only in the nineteen-nineties) Chambers Harrap Publishers after over a century (nearer two) in business.
Among 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 Cyclopædia of English Literature (1844), the Life and Works of Robert Burns
(4 vols., 1851), Ancient Sea Margins (1848), the Domestic Annals of Scotland (1859–1861) and the Book of Days
(2 vols., 1862–1864) were the most important.
in the 2005 feature film Greyfriars Bobby
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
publisher and politician, the brother (and business partner) of Robert Chambers. Both brothers were highly influential in the mid-19th century in both scientific and political circles.
Biography
He was born in PeeblesPeebles
Peebles is a burgh in the committee area of Tweeddale, in the Scottish Borders, lying on the River Tweed. According to the 2001 Census, the population was 8,159.-History:...
and moved to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in 1814 to work in the bookselling trade and soon branched out into printing. He opened his own publishing shop in 1819
>per Wikipedia at Chambers Harrap Publishers
Chambers Harrap
Chambers Harrap Publishers is a reference publisher formerly based in Edinburgh, Scotland, which held the property rights of the venerable W.R.Chambers Publishers and its competitor George G. Harrap and Company .-History of Chambers:Chambers was founded as "W. & R...
, 1st publication date, retrieval date: 2009-03-09
. With his younger brother, Robert Chambers, he produced books and periodicals of Scottish interest, such as Gazetteer of Scotland. They also made money in promulgating the many new science discoveries as the modern world emerged from prior modes of thinking in such periodicals as the Edinburgh Journal (See below). Their publishing business prospered, and in 1859 – the year in which Chambers's Encyclopaedia
Chambers's Encyclopaedia
Chambers's Encyclopaedia was founded in 1860 by W. & R. Chambers. It has no relationship with the Chambers' Cyclopaedia, or Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences of Ephraim Chambers in the 18th century, except that the latter shared the same name as the publisher of this.-History:The first...
saw the light – he founded a museum and art gallery in Peebles.
As Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1865 to 1869, Chambers was responsible for the restoration of St Giles Cathedral and other major town planning exercises. A street created in his 1867 City Improvement Act was named in his memory (Chambers Street
Chambers Street (Edinburgh)
Chambers Street is a street in Edinburgh, Scotland, at south of the Old Town. The street is named after William Chambers of Glenormiston, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh who was the main proponent of the 1867 Edinburgh Improvement Act, which gave permission for the street's construction.-Notable...
) and here in its centre stands a statue to him, by local sculptor John Rhind
John Rhind
John Rhind was an architect from Inverness, Scotland.-Biography:John Rhind was born in Banffshire in 1836, son of the Inverness architect builder George Rhind and his wife Isabella Milne...
.
W. & R. Chambers
In the beginning of 1832 William Chambers started a weekly publication under the title of Chambers's JournalChambers's Edinburgh Journal
Chambers's Edinburgh Journal was a weekly 16-page magazine started by William Chambers in 1832. The first edition was dated 4 February 1832, and priced at one penny. Topics included history, religion, language, and science...
, (known since 1854 as Chambers's Journal of Literature, Science and Arts), which speedily attained a large circulation and to which his younger brother Robert Chambers was at first only a contributor. After fourteen volumes had appeared, Robert became associated with his brother as joint editor, and his collaboration may have contributed more than anything else to the success of the Journal. The two brothers also united as partners in the publishing book publishing firm of W. & R. Chambers Publishers, though it is unclear as to when and by what name, (who owned it as distinct from Williams publishing house initially since Williams' 1819 company far antedates Roberts billing as an co-editor (much less co-publisher) and which was to become (only in the nineteen-nineties) Chambers Harrap Publishers after over a century (nearer two) in business.
Among 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 Cyclopædia of English Literature (1844), the Life and Works of Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
(4 vols., 1851), Ancient Sea Margins (1848), the Domestic Annals of Scotland (1859–1861) and the Book of Days
Chambers Book of Days
The Chambers Book of Days was written by the Scottish author Robert Chambers and first published in 1864.A new version was published by Chambers Harrap known as the Chambers Book of...
(2 vols., 1862–1864) were the most important.
In culture
He was played by Christopher LeeChristopher Lee
Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE, CStJ is an English actor and musician. Lee initially portrayed villains and became famous for his role as Count Dracula in a string of Hammer Horror films...
in the 2005 feature film Greyfriars Bobby
Greyfriars Bobby
Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye Terrier who became known in 19th-century Edinburgh for spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner, John Gray , until he died himself on 14 January 1872...
.
See also
- Chambers Harrap PublishersChambers HarrapChambers Harrap Publishers is a reference publisher formerly based in Edinburgh, Scotland, which held the property rights of the venerable W.R.Chambers Publishers and its competitor George G. Harrap and Company .-History of Chambers:Chambers was founded as "W. & R...
- Chambers InstitutionChambers InstitutionThe Chambers Institution is home to the Tweeddale Museum and Gallery, a museum, library and art gallery at Peebles in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland....
, PeeblesPeeblesPeebles is a burgh in the committee area of Tweeddale, in the Scottish Borders, lying on the River Tweed. According to the 2001 Census, the population was 8,159.-History:...
, Scottish BordersScottish BordersThe Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland...
, an arts centre, museum and library which bears W. Chambers' name.