Edward Kimber

Edward Kimber (1719–1769) was an English novelist, journalist and compiler of reference works.

Life He was son of Isaac Kimber; and in early life apprentice to a bookseller, John Noon of Cheapside. He made a living by compilation and editorial work for booksellers. In 1745–6 he published a series of Itinerant Observations in America in The London Magazine, at that point edited by his father.

Works Kimber wrote: The Life and Adventures of Joe Thompson, a Narrative founded on fact, written by himself [anon.], 2 vols., London, 1750; other editions, 1751, 1775, 1783. A French translation appeared in 1762. A "ramble novel", it sold well at the time, and was then condemned to neglect. The History of the Life and Adventures of Mr. Anderson (1754). Kimber denounced slavery, but is now found to be equivocal on the related issue, in the American context, of white supremacy. The Life and Adventures of James Ramble (1754) Maria: The Genuine Memoirs of an Admired Lady of Rank and Fortune (1764) The Generous Briton: or, the Authentic Memoirs of William Goldsmith (1765) The Peerage of England, London, 1766; 2nd edit. 1769. The Peerage of Scotland, London, 1767. The Peerage of Ireland, London, 1768. The Extinct Peerage of England, London, 1769.

He also wrote memoirs of his father, together with a poem to his memory, prefixed to Isaac Kimber's Sermons, 1756. With Richard Johnson he edited and continued Thomas Wooton's Baronetage of England, 3 vols., London, 1771.