Author: Chambers, Robert
Biography:
Chambers, Robert (1802-71: ODNB)
Born at Peebles to James Chambers, a cotton manufacturer, and Jean (Gibson) Chambers. He was educated at the Peebles Parish School and James Sloan’s Grammar School before his father became bankrupt and the family moved to Edinburgh. His formal education ended in 1816 and, after unsuccessfully trying out various jobs, he began selling books. He also commenced writing and, with his brother William, experimented in publishing periodicals. As a writer, his first major success was with Traditions of Edinburgh (1824). He married Anne Kirkwood in 1829; they were to have fourteen children. Chambers became increasingly affluent as his business prospered and, in 1832, he and William established their own publishing company and started issuing Chambers Edinburgh Journal. A celebrated and well-liked member of the Edinburgh literary scene, Chambers was a major force in Scottish publishing while also continuing to write books across a range of genres, including biography and geology. He died at St. Andrews. (ODNB 16 Oct 2018)