CHAMBERS, ROBERT (1802-1871).—­Historical and scientific writer, was b. at Peebles.  Early dependent on his own exertions, he started business as a bookseller in Edin. at the age of 16, devoting all his spare time to study, to such purpose that in 1824 he pub. Traditions of Edinburgh, a work in which he had the assistance of Sir W. Scott.  Thereafter he poured forth a continuous stream of books and essays on historical, social, antiquarian, and scientific subjects.  He joined his brother William (q.v.) in establishing the publishing firm of W. and R. Chambers, and in starting Chambers’s Journal, to which he was a constant contributor.  Later ventures were The Cyclopedia of English Literature (1842-44), of which several ed. have appeared (last 1903-6). and Chambers’s Cyclopaedia (10 vols. 1859-68; new 1888-92).  Among his own works may be mentioned Vestiges of Creation, pub. anonymously (1844), a precursor of Darwinism, A Life of Burns (1851), Popular Rhymes of Scotland (1847), History of the Rebellions in Scotland, Domestic Annals of Scotland (1859-61), Ancient Sea Margins (1848), Dictionary of Eminent Scotsmen and The Book of Days (1863).  He was LL.D. of St. Andrews.

CHAMBERS, WILLIAM (1800-1883).—­Publisher and miscellaneous author, b. at Peebles, started in 1832 with his brother Robert (q.v.) Chambers’s Journal, and soon after joined him in the firm of W. and R. Chambers.  Besides contributions to the Journal he wrote several books, including a History of Peeblesshire (1864), and an autobiography of himself and his brother.  C. was a man of great business capacity, and, though of less literary distinction than his brother, did much for the dissemination of cheap and useful literature.  He was Lord Provost of Edin. 1865-69, and was an LL.D. of the Univ. of that city.  He restored the ancient church of St. Giles there.

CHAMIER, FREDERICK (1796-1870).—­Novelist, was in the navy, in which he rose to the rank of Captain.  Retiring in 1827, he wrote several sea novels somewhat in the style of Marryat, including Life of a Sailor (1832), Ben Brace, Jack Adams, and Tom Bowling (1841).  He also continued James’s Naval History, and wrote books of travel.

CHANNING, WILLIAM ELLERY (1780-1842).—­American Divine, b. at Newport, Rhode Island, was for a time a minister in the Congregationalist Church, but became the leader of the Unitarians in New England.  He had a powerful influence on the thought and literature of his time in America, and was the author of books on Milton and Fenelon, and on social subjects.  The elevation and amiability of his character caused him to be held in high esteem.  He did not class himself with Unitarians of the school of Priestley, but claimed to “stand aloof from all but those who strive and pray for clearer light.”