Chambers (publisher) facts for kids

Chambers is a well-known publisher that creates reference books, like dictionaries and encyclopedias. They used to be based in Edinburgh, Scotland. They are famous for their many helpful books that explain words and facts.

The Story of Chambers

Chambers was started by two brothers, William Chambers of Glenormiston and Robert Chambers. They were born in Peebles, Scotland, in 1800 and 1802. Their family lost a lot of money during a war, so they moved to Edinburgh in 1813.

William had to find work to help his family. He loved to read and would often wake up very early to read by the morning light because they couldn't afford candles. He became a helper at a bookshop, earning a small amount of money each week. Robert also loved to read. When he finished school, he couldn't go to university because his family didn't have enough money. So, at just 16 years old, he opened his own small bookshop in Edinburgh. When William finished his training at 18, he joined Robert in the shop.

Even though they started small, the brothers began to do well. They learned how to print and bind books themselves. Around 1819, they printed and sold 750 copies of The Songs of Robert Burns. This book was very popular in Scotland and helped them earn more money and become known.

In 1824, Robert wrote a book called Traditions of Edinburgh, which the brothers published. Education was always very important to William and Robert. In 1832, they started The Chambers Journal. This was a weekly newspaper with articles on many topics like history, religion, and science. Robert wrote many of these articles himself. The newspaper was an instant hit! Within a few years, they were selling 84,000 copies every week. This success helped them overcome their early struggles, though they still worked very hard.

This design appeared at the start of each volume of the Chambers's Encyclopaedia.

Between 1859 and 1868, they published their most important work: the famous Chambers's Encyclopaedia. This huge set of books was released in 520 weekly parts. The first edition was based on a German encyclopedia. Later editions became very high quality. For example, the 1950 edition had 15 volumes and took six years to make! It was seen as a great achievement in British learning.

Chambers also published many other useful books. These included English dictionaries, thesauruses (books of similar words), and dictionaries for learning other languages. They also made special books about famous people, quotes, science, and world history.

Over the years, Chambers became part of bigger companies. In 1989, a company called Groupe de La Cite bought Chambers. Later, in 1992, Chambers bought another publisher called George G. Harrap and Co., which was known for its bilingual dictionaries, like Harrap's Shorter French Dictionary.

By the end of 2009, the main company closed the Chambers Harrap Publishers office in Edinburgh. The Chambers books are now managed from London by Hodder Education. The Harrap language books moved to a company in Paris. In 2013, Chambers became part of the John Murray division of Hodder.

There is also a company called Allied Chambers that publishes books for the market in and around India.

What Chambers Publishes Now

Chambers Harrap Publishers is best known for its main book, The Chambers Dictionary. This dictionary has more words and definitions than almost any other single dictionary. It's even known for having some funny definitions!

The types of books Chambers publishes today include:

• Dictionaries
• Thesauruses
• Language Reference books
• Subject Reference books (about specific topics)
• School books
• Crossword puzzles
• Other Puzzles
• Games
• Phrasebooks (for travelers)
• Books for Adult Learners

Slang Dictionaries

In 2007, Chambers Harrap Publishers gained the rights to publish a famous British slang dictionary by Jonathon Green. This new edition, called Chambers Slang Dictionary, came out in October 2008.

Brewer's Books

On January 1, 2008, Chambers Harrap Publishers also took over the "Brewer's" list of books. This includes the very famous Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, which explains common phrases, stories, and myths.

See also

• For more about the founders:
  • William Chambers
  • Robert Chambers
• Chambers's Encyclopaedia
• The Chambers Dictionary
• Harrap's Shorter French Dictionary
• George G. Harrap and Co.
• Ebenezer Cobham Brewer