Raymond Wilson Chambers studied at University College London, 1891-1899, and was appointed Quain Student in English there in 1899. He stayed at University College and was Librarian from 1901 to 1922. He was also Assistant Professor in the English Department, 1904-1914. In 1915 he became Reader in English. From 1915 to 1917 he served for a time with the Red Cross in France, and with the Y.M.C.A. with the British Expeditionary Force in Belgium. In 1922 he became Quain Professor of English at UCL in succession to W.P.Ker. In 1933 he visited the U.S.A. to deliver the Turnbull lectures in Baltimore. He published 'Widsith: a study in Old English heroic legend' in 1912, 'Beowulf: an introduction to the study of the poem, with a discussion of the stories of Offa and Finn' in 1921, 'Life of More' in 1932, 'Thomas More' in 1935 and 'Man's unconquerable mind' in 1939. Chambers retired in 1941 and died in 1942. The fullest account of Chambers' life is given by C.J. Sisson in the 'Proceedings of the British Academy', vol.xxx, 1944, p.427-439, with a bibliography by H. Winifred Husbands.
From the guide to the Chambers Papers, c1894-1942, (University College London)
