(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 for some time, particularly at Boulogne, where, in 1556, he was a pupil of Marianus Sozomen.

After his return to Scotland, he was appointed, by queen Mary, parson of Suddie 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 Chambers, his royal mistress, and to extol the wisdom of the Scots nation.

(Ephraim), author of the scientific Dictionary which goes under his name, was born at Milton, in the county of Westmoreland. His parents were dissenters of the Presbyterian persuasion; and his education no other than that common one which is intended to qualify a youth for trade and commerce. When he became of a proper age, he was put apprentice to Mr Senex the globe-maker, a business which is connected with literature, and especially with astronomy and geography. It was during Mr Chambers's residence with this skilful mechanic, that he contracted that taste for science and learning which accompanied him through life, and directed all his pursuits. It was even at this time that he formed the design of his grand work, the "Cyclopaedia;" and some of the first articles of it were written behind the counter. Having conceived the idea of so great an undertaking, he justly concluded that the execution of it would not conflict with the avocations of trade; and therefore he quitted Mr Senex, and took chambers at Gray's-Inn, where he chiefly resided during the rest of his days. The first edition of the Cyclopaedia, which was the result of many years intense application, appeared in 1728, in two vols. fol. It was published by subscription, the price being 4l. 4s. and the list of subscribers was very respectable. The dedication, which was to the king, is dated October 15, 1727. The reputation that Mr Chambers acquired by his execution of this undertaking, procured him the honour of being elected F. R. S. Nov. 6, 1729. In less than ten years' time, a second edition became necessary; which accordingly was printed, with corrections and additions, in 1738; and was followed by a third the very next year.

Although the Cyclopaedia was the grand business of Mr Chambers's life, and may be regarded as almost the sole foundation of his fame, his attention was not wholly confined to this undertaking. He was concerned in a periodical publication, intituled, "The Literary Magazine," which was begun in 1735. In this work he wrote a variety of articles, and particularly a review of Morgan's "Moral Philosopher." He was engaged, likewise, in conjunction with Mr John Martyn, F. R. S. and professor of botany at Cambridge, in preparing for the press a translation and abridgment of the "Philosophical History and Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, or an Abridgment of all the Papers relating to Natural Philosophy which have been published by the Members of that illustrious Society." This undertaking, when completed, was comprised in five volumes 8vo, which did not appear till 1742, some time after our author's decease, when they were published in the joint names of Mr Martyn and Mr Chambers. Mr Martyn, in a subsequent publication, hath passed a severe censure, upon the share which his fellow-labourer had in the abridgment of the Parisian papers. The only work besides, that we find ascribed to Mr Chambers, is a translation of the Jesuit's Perspective, from the French; which was printed in 4to, and hath gone through several editions. Mr Chambers's close and unremitting attention to his studies at length impaired his health, Chambers' health, and obliged him occasionally to take a lodgings at Canonbury-house, Islington. This not having greatly contributed to his recovery, he made an excursion to the south of France, but did not reap that benefit from it which he had himself hoped; and his friends wished. Returning to England, he died at Canonbury-house, and was buried at Westminster; where the following inscription, written by himself, is placed on the north side of the cloisters of the Abbey:

Multis pervulgatus, Paucis notus; Qui vitam, inter lucem & umbram, Nec cruditus, nec idiota, Literis deditus, transegit; fed ut homo Qui humani nihil a se alienum putat. Vita simul, & laboribus functus, Hic requiescere voluit.

Ephraim Chambers, R. S. S. Obit xv Maii, MDCCXL.

After the author's death, two more editions of his Cyclopaedia were published. The proprietors afterwards procured a supplement to be compiled, which extended to two volumes more: And in the year 1778 began to be published in weekly numbers, an edition of both, improved, and incorporated into one alphabet, by Dr Rees, which has been lately completed in four volumes folio, and forms a very valuable work.