Robert Chambers (1802-1871)

Robert Chambers was a Scottish publisher, geologist, author and editor. He began his career as a book seller and then with his brother William (a printer), co-founded 'The Kaleidoscope, or Edinburgh Literary Amusement' magazine. More publications and books followed and their business partnership gave rise to Chambers Publishers which still operates today. Chambers was an influentional voice in scientific circles and wrote 'Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation', which he published anonymously in 1844. It contained radical evolutionary theories such as the transmutation of species which preceded Darwin's theory of natural selection. 

"I knew and esteemed the author, and remember the

interest which his papers excited…"

In his letter written on 27th October 1865 Robert Chambers writes to Sampson Low regarding Walter Simson's book 'A History of the Gipsies' which Low is about to publish. Chambers asks if a copy can be acquired for W & R Chambers, the publishing company he set up with his brother. 

Sampson Low published 'A History of the Gipsies with Specimens of the Gipsy Language' in 1865. It was written by Walter Simson and edited by James Simson (b.1826). 

View Robert Chambers' letter [opens in a new window]

Image Rights: © National Portrait Gallery London after David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson carbon print 1843-1848; published 1928 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/