Chalmers, George, 1742-1825

George Chalmers (1742-1825) was a British historian, civil servant, antiquarian, and author. He was born at Fochabers, Moray, Scotland, educated at the parish school at Fochabers and at King's College Aberdeen. He went on to study law in Edinburgh and moved to Maryland in 1763 to practice law in Baltimore. As a devout loyalist, he returned to London in September of 1775 when revolutionary discontent grew in the American colonies. He was appointed chief clerk of the committee of the Privy Council for trade and foreign plantations. He held this post for 40 years, a position that allowed for abundant leisure time to devote to his studies, writings, and antiquary interests. He devoted his life to writing books about Ireland, affairs of America and the British monarchy. He collected a vast library of books, original manuscripts, notes, and manuscript copies of documents used in his research.

From the guide to the Chalmers manuscripts, circa 1760-1825., (Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)

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