CHAMBERS, author of the dictionary of sciences, called the " Cyclopedia. He was born at Milton, in the county of Westmoreland, where he received the common education for qualifying a youth for trade and com merce. When he became of a proper age, he was put apprentice to Mr. Se Ilex, the globe-maker, a business which is connected with literature, especial ly with geography and astronomy. It was during Mr. Chamber's residence with this skilful artist, that he acquired that taste for literature which accompa nied him through life, and directed all his pursuits. It was even at this time that he formed the design of his grand work, the Cyclopedia; some of the first articles of which were written behind the counter. To have leisure to pursue this work, he quitted Mr. Senex, and took chambers at Grey's Inn, where he chiefly resided during the rest of his life. The first edition of the Cyclopedia, which was the result of many years in tense application, appeared in 1728, in 2 vols. folio. The reputation that Mr. Chambers acquired by the execution of this work procured him the honour of being elected F. R. S. November 6, 1729. In less than ten years time, a second edition became necessary ; which accordingly was printed, with correc tions and additions, in 1738: and this was followed by a third edition the very next year.
Mr. Chambers's close and unremitting attention to his studies at length impair ed his health, and obliged him occasion ally to take a country lodging, but with out much benefit ; he afterwards visited the south of France, but still with little effect ; he therefore returned to England, where he soon after died, at Islington, May 15, 1740, and was buried at ster Abbey.
After the author's dettb, two more editions of his Cyclopedia were publish ed. The proprietors afterwards procured a supplement to be compiled, by Mr. Scott and Dr. Hill, but chiefly by the lat ter, which extended to two volumes more ; and the whole has since been re duced into one alphabet, in four volumes, by Dr. Rees, forming a very valuable body of the sciences.
A new edition of the same work, or rather a new work under the title of the " New Cyclopedia," is now publishing by the same learned Editor. This work, of which Dr. Rees has published already nine volumes, will probably extend to thirty volumes quarto. It will, when com plete, be unquestionably the most com prehensive body of science ever present ed to the world.