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)

George Chalmers, Scottish antiquarian and political writer. His writings against the American colonies earned him a government position in a council relating to trade and foreign plantations. Among his numerous writings are: a biography of Scottish printer and antiquarian Thomas Ruddiman (1794) ; Caledonia (1807-1824), an encyclopedia of Scottish history and antiquities ; and a biography of Mary, Queen of Scots (1818).

From the guide to the George Chalmers manuscript material : 1 item, 1806, (The New York Public Library. Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle.)

Goerge Chalmers (1742-1825) was a British historian, civil servant and author. He was a lawyer in Baltimore until the American Revolutionary War. After he returned to England, his positions included chief clerk at the Office for Trade in London and colonial agent for the Bahamas. He wrote biographies, poetry and pamphlets on the American colonies and collected a large library of books and manuscripts.

From the description of George Chalmers papers, 1606-1812. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122576143

From the guide to the George Chalmers papers, 1606-1812, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

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 spend on 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 description of Chalmers manuscripts, circa 1760-1825. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 84835306

Historian and antiquarian.

From the description of George Chalmers collection,1641-1825 [microform]. (Memorial University/Newfoundland, Elizabeth II). WorldCat record id: 456695034

From the description of George Chalmers collection, 1640-1825. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71062060

Epithet: of Add MS 15746

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001196.0x000240

George Chalmers, Scottish antiquarian and political writer. His writings against the American colonies earned him a government position in a council relating to trade and foreign plantations. Among his numeropus writings are: a biography of Scottish printer and antiquarian Thomas Ruddiman (1794) ; Caledonia (1807-1824), an encyclopedia of Scottish history and antiquities ; and a biography of Mary, Queen of Scots (1818).

From the description of George Chalmers manuscript material : 1 item, 1806 (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 85895880

Epithet: lawyer, late of Maryland

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001196.0x00023e

Epithet: banker of Edinburgh

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000622.0x00032c

Antiquary and government committee clerk, London.

Born in Scotland in 1742, Chalmers was raised and educated there but went to America to practice law until the outbreak of the Revolution. Returning to Britain, he settled in London and applied himself to literary pursuits. He first distinguished himself by the publication of his Political Annals of the Present United Colonies. This and other writings evinced his ability and intimate acquaintance of the principles of commerce and political economy of the British system. This led to his appointment in 1786 to the position of Chief Clerk of the Committee of the Privy Council which he held until his death in 1825.

From the description of Political annals of the present United Colonies from their settlement to the peace of 1763 : compiled chiefly from records and authorized by the insertion of state papers. Book II : manuscript, [1780] / by G-- C--. (New York University, Group Batchload). WorldCat record id: 58661242

George Chalmers was born at Fochabers, Moray, Scotland, in 1742. He received his education from the parish school at Fochabers and from King's College Aberdeen. He went on to study law in Edinburgh and then in 1773 put these skills into practice as a lawyer in Baltimore, USA in 1773. He returned in 1775 to settle in London, where he devoted his life to writing books about Ireland, affairs of America and the British monarchy. In 1786 he was appointed chief clerk of the committee of the Privy Council for trade and foreign plantations. Chalmers wrote numerous biographies and in 1807 his first volume of Caledonia, a work intended to record the history and antiquities of Scotland was published. Volumes 2 and 3 of Caledonia were published in 1820 and 1824 but Chalmers died, on 31 May 1825, before he could finish the series although he left a manuscript collection intended for its completion. Chalmers was a prolific writer on history throughout his life as well as a collector of books and manuscripts. His library was sold in three parts between September 1841 and November 1842, yielding 6189 in total.

Publications: An Answer from the Electors of Bristol to the Letter of Edmund Burke, Esq. on the affairs of America (T. Cadell, London, 1777); An Appeal to the Generosity of the British Nation, in a statement of facts on behalf of the afflicted widow and unoffending offspring of the unfortunate Mr. Bellingham (M. Jones, London, 1812); An Estimate of the Comparative Strength of Britain during the Present and Four Preceding Reigns; and of the losses of her trade from every war since the Revolution (C. Dilly & J. Bowen, London, 1782); An Introduction to the History of the Revolt of the Colonies (Baker & Galabin, London, 1782); Another Account of the Incidents, from which the title, and a part of the story of Shakespeare's Tempest, were derived; and the true era of it ascertained (R. & A. Taylor, London, 1815); Caledonia: or, an Account, historical and topographic, of North Britain; from the most ancient to the present times: with a dictionary of places, chorographical and philological (T. Cadell, London, 1807-24); Comparative Views of the State of Great Britain and Ireland; as it was, before the war; as it is, since the peace (T. Egerton, London, 1817); Considerations on Commerce, Bullion and Coin, Circulation and Exchanges; with a view to our present circumstances (J. J. Stockdale, London, 1811); Opinions of Eminent Lawyers, on various points of English Jurisprudence, chiefly concerning the Colonies, Fisheries, and Commerce, of Great Britain (Reed & Hunter, London, 1814); Opinions on Interesting Subjects of Public Law and Commercial Policy; arising from American independence (J. Debrett, London, 1784); Political Annals of the Present United Colonies, from their Settlement to the Peace of 1763 (J. Bowen, London, 1780); Proofs and Demonstrations, how much the projected Registry of Colonial Negroes is unfounded and uncalled for (Thomas Egerton: London, 1816); The Life of Daniel De Foe (John Stockdale, London, 1790); The Life of Mary, Queen of Scots; drawn from the State Papers (John Murray, London, 1818); The Life of Thomas Ruddiman (John Stockdale, London, 1794); Churchyard's Chips concerning Scotland: being a collection of his pieces relative to that country, with historical notices, and a life of the author (Longman & Co, London, 1817); A Collection of Treaties between Great Britain and other Powers (John Stockdale, London, 1790); Parliamentary Portraits (T. Bellamy, London, 1795); Facts and Observations relative to the coinage and circulation of counterfeit or base money; with suggestions for remedying the evil (London, 1795); The Arrangements with Ireland considered (John Stockdale, London, 1785); editor of The Poetical Works of Sir David Lyndsay (Longman, London, 1806); An Apology for the believers in the Shakspeare Papers [forged by W. H. Ireland], which were exhibited in Norfolk Street (T. Egerton, London, 1797); A short view of the proposals lately made for the final adjustment of the commercial system between Great-Britain and Ireland (John Stockdale, London, 1785); A Vindication of the privilege of the people, in respect to the constitutional right of free discussion, with a retrospect to various proceedings relative to the violations of that right (London, 1796); Thoughts on the present Crisis of our Domestic Affairs (London, 1807).

From the guide to the Chalmers, George: Ireland, 1641-1808, (Senate House Library, University of London)

George Chalmers was born at Fochabers, Moray, Scotland, in 1742. He received his education from the parish school at Fochabers and from King's College Aberdeen. He went on to study law in Edinburgh and then in 1773 put these skills into practice as a lawyer in Baltimore, USA in 1773. He returned in 1775 to settle in London, where he devoted his life to writing books about Ireland, affairs of America and the British monarchy. In 1786 he was appointed chief clerk of the committee of the Privy Council for trade and foreign plantations. Chalmers wrote numerous biographies and in 1807 his first volume of Caledonia, a work intended to record the history and antiquities of Scotland was published. Volumes 2 and 3 of Caledonia were published in 1820 and 1824 but Chalmers died, on 31 May 1825, before he could finish the series although he left a manuscript collection intended for its completion. Chalmers was a prolific writer on history throughout his life as well as a collector of books and manuscripts. His library was sold in three parts between September 1841 and November 1842, yielding 6189 in total.

Publications: An Answer from the Electors of Bristol to the Letter of Edmund Burke, Esq. on the affairs of America (T. Cadell, London, 1777); An Appeal to the Generosity of the British Nation, in a statement of facts on behalf of the afflicted widow and unoffending offspring of the unfortunate Mr. Bellingham (M. Jones, London, 1812); An Estimate of the Comparative Strength of Britain during the Present and Four Preceding Reigns; and of the losses of her trade from every war since the Revolution (C. Dilly & J. Bowen, London, 1782); An Introduction to the History of the Revolt of the Colonies (Baker & Galabin, London, 1782); Another Account of the Incidents, from which the title, and a part of the story of Shakespeare's Tempest, were derived; and the true era of it ascertained (R. & A. Taylor, London, 1815); Caledonia: or, an Account, historical and topographic, of North Britain; from the most ancient to the present times: with a dictionary of places, chorographical and philological (T. Cadell, London, 1807-24); Comparative Views of the State of Great Britain and Ireland; as it was, before the war; as it is, since the peace (T. Egerton, London, 1817); Considerations on Commerce, Bullion and Coin, Circulation and Exchanges; with a view to our present circumstances (J. J. Stockdale, London, 1811); Opinions of Eminent Lawyers, on various points of English Jurisprudence, chiefly concerning the Colonies, Fisheries, and Commerce, of Great Britain (Reed & Hunter, London, 1814); Opinions on Interesting Subjects of Public Law and Commercial Policy; arising from American independence (J. Debrett, London, 1784); Political Annals of the Present United Colonies, from their Settlement to the Peace of 1763 (J. Bowen, London, 1780); Proofs and Demonstrations, how much the projected Registry of Colonial Negroes is unfounded and uncalled for (Thomas Egerton: London, 1816); The Life of Daniel De Foe (John Stockdale, London, 1790); The Life of Mary, Queen of Scots; drawn from the State Papers (John Murray, London, 1818); The Life of Thomas Ruddiman (John Stockdale, London, 1794); Churchyard's Chips concerning Scotland: being a collection of his pieces relative to that country, with historical notices, and a life of the author (Longman & Co, London, 1817); A Collection of Treaties between Great Britain and other Powers (John Stockdale, London, 1790); Parliamentary Portraits (T. Bellamy, London, 1795); Facts and Observations relative to the coinage and circulation of counterfeit or base money; with suggestions for remedying the evil (London, 1795); The Arrangements with Ireland considered (John Stockdale, London, 1785); editor of The Poetical Works of Sir David Lyndsay (Longman, London, 1806); An Apology for the believers in the Shakspeare Papers [forged by W. H. Ireland], which were exhibited in Norfolk Street (T. Egerton, London, 1797); A short view of the proposals lately made for the final adjustment of the commercial system between Great-Britain and Ireland (John Stockdale, London, 1785); A Vindication of the privilege of the people, in respect to the constitutional right of free discussion, with a retrospect to various proceedings relative to the violations of that right (London, 1796); Thoughts on the present Crisis of our Domestic Affairs (London, 1807).

From the guide to the Manuscript volume transcript by George Chalmers of a discourse by John Yonge, 1558, (Senate House Library, University of London)