(David), a Scots historian, priest, and lawyer, was born in the shire of Ross, about the year 1539, and educated in the university of Aberdeen. From thence he went to France and Italy, where he continued some time, particularly at Bologna, where, in 1556, he was a pupil of Marianus Sozenus.

After his return to Scotland, he was appointed, by queen Mary, parson of Suddi 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 affix his royal mitre, and to extol the wisdom of the Scots nation.

(Ephraim), an eminent philosopher and fellow of the royal society, who has perpetuated his name by a most laborious work, first published in 1727, in two folio volumes, under the title of Cyclopaedia; or, An Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences. All we know of Mr Chambers, is, that he served an apprenticeship to Senex a globe and map maker; but finding himself under no necessity to follow business, he took chambers in Gray's-Inn, devoted himself to study, and died about the year 1740.—The proprietors of the above work afterwards procured a Supplement to be compiled, which extended to two volumes more. Of both these the compilers of the Encyclopædia Britannica have availed themselves, by extracting every thing of value; every thing that, in the present improved state of science, seemed admissible, or concerning which no better information could be obtained.