CHAMBERS, DAVID, a Scots historian, priest, and lawyer, was born in the shire of Ross, about the year 1530, and educated in the university of Aberdeen. From thence he went to France and Italy, where he continued some time, particularly at Boulogne, where, in 1556, he was a pupil of Marianus Sozenus.
After his return to Scotland, he was appointed, by Queen Mary, parson of Suddy and chancellor of Ross. He was soon after employed in digesting the laws of Scotland, and was principally concerned in publishing the acts of parliament of that kingdom by authority in 1566. He was also appointed one of the lords of session, and continued her majesty's faithful servant till her declining fortune obliged her adherents to seek for refuge in other kingdoms. Chambers went first to Spain, where he was graciously received by King Philip; and thence he travelled to Paris, where he was no less kindly received by Charles IX. of that kingdom, to whom, in 1572, he presented his history of Scotland, &c. He died at Paris in the year 1592, much regretted (says Mackenzie) by all who knew him. His writings were chiefly calculated to assist his royal mistress, and to extol the wisdom of the Scots nation.