Encyclopedist, born in Kendal, Cumbria, NW England, UK. While apprenticed to a globemaker in London he conceived the idea of a Cyclopaedia, or Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences (2 folio vols, 1728). A French translation inspired Diderot's Encyclopédie.
Ephraim Chambers (c1680 - 15 May 1740), was an English writer and encyclopedist, who is primarily known for producing the Cyclopaedia, or Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences.
Early life
Chambers was born in Kendal, Westmorland, England, and attended Heversham Grammar School there.
Cyclopaedia
The first edition of the Cyclopedia appeared by subscription in 1728, in two folio volumes, and was dedicated to the King.
The Cyclopedia provided the inspiration for the landmark Encyclopédie of Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert, which began as a French translation of Chambers' work that was begun in 1743 and finished in 1745 by John Mills, assisted by Gottfried Sellius.
Other writing
In addition to the Cyclopaedia, Chambers wrote for and possibly edited the Literary Magazine (1735-1736), which mainly published book reviews.
Epitaph
Chambers died on May 15, 1740. His epitaph was published in both the original Latin and in English in the Gentleman's Magazine, volume 10, as follows (translation is the original):
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."
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