George Chalmers (antiquarian)
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George Chalmers (December 1742 – 31 May 1825) was a Scottish antiquarian and political writer.
Biography
Chalmers was born at Fochabers, Moray, the second son of the local postmaster, James Chalmers (who was a grandson of George Chalmers of Pittensear in Lhanbryde) and his wife Isabella.[1] After completing a course at King's College, Aberdeen, he studied law at the University of Edinburgh for several years.[2]
Two uncles on the father's side had settled in
In August 1786, Chalmers was appointed chief clerk to the committee of Privy Council on matters relating to trade, following its re-establishment. He retained this position for the rest of his life. It left him time to write.[2]
Chalmers was a fellow of the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries of London, an honorary member of the Antiquarian Society of Scotland, and a member of other learned societies. His library was left to his nephew, at whose death in 1841 it was sold and dispersed.[2]
Controversialist
A dogmatic writer, Chalmers became involved in numerous literary controversies. Among his avowed opponents were
Works
Caledonia
Chalmers's major work was his Caledonia, which he left incomplete. The first volume appeared in 1807, and is introductory to the others. It is divided into four books, treating successively of the
The second volume, published in 1810, gives an account of the seven southeastern counties of Scotland –
In 1824 the third volume appeared, giving, under the same headings, a description of the seven south-western counties –
Early works (1776–1786)
Before his Privy Council appointment, Chalmers applied himself to investigating the history and establishment of the
Chalmers next wrote An Estimate of the Comparative Strength of Britain during the Present and Four Preceding Reigns (1782), which passed through several editions.[2]
Mature works (1786–1824)
Chalmers wrote biographical sketches of
In 1818 Chalmers published a life of Mary, Queen of Scots, based on a manuscript left by John Whitaker, but rewritten. Mary's history occupied much of his attention, and his last work, A Detection of the Love Letters lately attributed in Hugh Campbell's work to Mary Queen of Scots, is an exposure of an attempt to represent as genuine some fictitious letters said to have passed between Mary and Bothwell. He had also prepared for the press a detailed history of the life and reign of David I of Scotland. In his later researches he was assisted by his nephew James, son of Alexander Chalmers, writer in Elgin.[2]
Apology for the Believers in the Shakespeare Papers which were exhibited in Norfolk Street, appeared in 1797, followed by other tracts by Chalmers on the same subject, relating to the
Political writings by Chalmers included:[2]
- Collection of Treaties between Great Britain and other Powers (1790);
- Vindication of the Privileges of the People in respect to the Constitutional Right of Free Discussion, etc. (1796), published anonymously;
- A Chronological Account of Commerce and Coinage in Great Britain from the Restoration till 1850 (1810);
- Opinions of Eminent Lawyers on various points of English Jurisprudence, chiefly concerning the Colonies, Fisheries, and Commerce of Great Britain (1814);
- Comparative Views of the State of Great Britain before and since the War (1817).
Chalmers' works online
- Political annals of the present United Colonies: ... (1779)
- An Estimate of the Comparative Strength of Britain during the Present and Four Preceding Reigns (1782)
- The Life of Thomas Ruddiman (1794)
- An Apology for the Believers in the Shakespeare Papers which were exhibited in Norfolk Street (1797)
- The Life of Mary, Queen of Scots, Derived from State Papers Volume 1 Volume 2 (1818)
- A supplemental apology for the believers in the Shakspear papers (1799)
- Caledonia (1888-1894 republication): Vols 3-7 (NLS), corresponding to the original books 2 and 3.
References
- public domain: Macdonald, James (1911). "Chalmers, George". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the
Notes
- ^ Fleming, Thomas. "George Chalmers (December 1742-31 May 1825)," in Clyde N. Wilson (ed.), American Historians, 1607-1865, Dictionary of Literary Biography Vol. 30, Detroit: Gale Research, 1984, 52.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Macdonald, James (1911). Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. . In
- ^ Gregory Claeys, Thomas Paine: Social and Political Thought (New York: Routledge, 2002) 20
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/5028. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)