Ephraim Chambers

Ephraim Chambers ( – 15 May 1740) was an English writer and encyclopaedist, who is primarily known for producing the Cyclopaedia, or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences. Chambers' Cyclopædia is known as the original source material for the French Encyclopédie that started off as a translation of Cyclopædia.

Biography Chambers was born in Milton near Kendal, Westmorland, England. Little is known of his early life but he attended Heversham Grammar School, then was apprenticed to a globe maker, John Senex, in London from 1714 to 1721. It was here that he developed the plan of the Cyclopaedia, or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences. After beginning the Cyclopaedia, he left Senex's service and devoted himself entirely to the encyclopedia project. He also took lodging in Gray's Inn, where he remained for the rest of his life. Chambers died in Canonbury House in Islington and was buried in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey.

Writing The first edition of the Cyclopaedia appeared by subscription in 1728 and was dedicated to George II, King of Great Britain. When he died in 1740, he left materials for a Supplement; edited by George Lewis Scott, this was published in 1753.

He also wrote for, and possibly edited, the Literary Magazine (1735–1736), which mainly published book reviews. Chambers worked on translating other works in French on perspective and chemistry from 1726 to 1727, including the Practice of Perspective from the French of Jean Dubreuil. He also worked with John Martyn to translate the History and Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris (1742).

Legacy Chambers' epitaph, written by himself, was published in both the original Latin and in English in the Gentleman's Magazine, volume 10, as follows (translation is the original):

Multis pervulgatus paucis notus Qui vitam inter lucem et umbram Nec eruditus nec idiota Literis deditus transegit, sed ut homo Qui humani nihil a se alienum putat Vita simul et laboribus functus Hic requiescere voluit EPHRAIM CHAMBERS.

In English thus:

Heard of by many, Known to few, Who led a Life between Fame and Obscurity Neither abounding nor deficient in Learning Devoted to Study, but as a Man Who thinks himself bound to all Offices of Humanity, Having finished his Life and Labours together, Here desires to rest EPHRAIM CHAMBERS.

The Encyclopédie of Diderot and d'Alembert owed its inception to a French translation of Chambers's work.