William Chambers

1800 - 1883

Statue of Lord Provost William Chambers in Chambers Street, Edinburgh
©2011 Gazetteer for Scotland

Publisher and Lord Provost of Edinburgh. Born in Peebles, the older brother of Robert Chambers (1802 - 1871). Chambers began his career as an apprentice bookseller in Edinburgh. Shortly thereafter he started his own shop and began printing and publishing. His first book was the Songs of Robert Burns (1820).

Between 1865 and 1869 he was Lord Provost and in this post he continued the work of his predecessor George Drummond (1687 - 1766). Chambers promoted the clearance of the medieval slums from Edinburgh's Old Town, together with the improvement of public health. He was also responsible for a major restoration of St. Giles Cathedral, which sadly re-opened just in time for his own funeral.

His name is remembered in Chambers Street in Edinburgh, which includes his statue.

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