Quick Facts
- Born:
- March 29, 1759, Aberdeen, Scot.
- Died:
- Dec. 10, 1834, London, Eng. (aged 75)
- Notable Works:
- âGeneral Biographical Dictionaryâ
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Alexander Chalmers
Scottish author and editor
Alexander Chalmers (born March 29, 1759, Aberdeen, Scot.âdied Dec. 10, 1834, London, Eng.) was a Scottish editor and biographer best known for his General Biographical Dictionary (1812â17), a 32-volume revision of work first published in 11 volumes (1761).
Chalmersâ Glossary to Shakespeare (1797) was followed by The Works of the English Poets from Chaucer to Cowper (1810), a revised and expanded version of Dr. Johnsonâs Lives of the Poets (1779â81). A prolific editor, Chalmers published The British Essayists: With Prefaces Historical and Biographical in 45 volumes (1817), as well as the works of the Scottish poet and philosopher James Beattie, the novelist Henry Fielding, the historian Edward Gibbon, and others.
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