CHALITERS, GEORGE, an eminent historical antiquary, was b. at Fochabers, Moray shire, Scotland, in 1742. Having attended King's college, Aberdeen, and afterwards studied law at Edinburgh, he went in 1763 to North America, where he practiced as a lawyer till the breaking out of 'the war of independence. Being a keen loyalist, lie returned to Britain, where lie was appointed clerk to the board of trade in 1786. The duties of this office he continued to discharge with diligence and ability till his death in 1825. Before his appointment, he had distinguished himself by various publications in political economy; and for sonic time after lie devoted himself chiefly to editing the works of various authors and writing biographies. Ills great work is his Caledonia; an Account, historical and Topographical, of North Britain; a production displaying pro found research into the history of Scotland, and abounding in varied erudition. It was intended to be completed in 4 vols. 4to. The first volume, containing the historical part, appeared in 1807; of the other three, which were destined to give an account of the several counties, the second, embracing Roxburghshire, Berwickshire, 'bidding tonshire, Edinburghshire, Linlithgowshire, Peeblesshire, and Selkirkshire, appeared in 1810; the third, containing the counties of Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, Wigton, Ayr, Lanark, Renfrew, and Dumbarton, appeared in 1824. A fourth volume is understood
to have been left at his death, ready for the press.
Among his other publications are: Political Annals of the United Colonies (Lond. 1780); On the Comparative Strength of Great Britain, during the present and the four preceding Reigns (Loud. 1782, 1786, 1794, 1802, 1812); A Collection of Treaties between Great Britain and other Powers (2 vols, Lond. 1790); Life of Daniel Defoe (Lond. 1786); Life of Thomas Ruddiman (1794); Life of Mary Queen of Scots (Lond. 1818); editions of the works of Allan Ramsay (1800), and of sir David Lindsay (1806), with memoirs; also various pamphlets apologizing for those, himself included, who had believed in the authenticity of the Shakespeare manuscripts forged by Mr. Ireland.