Robert Chambers of Edinburgh : Victorian polymath and educator / Iris Macfarlane with Alan Macfarlane.

1. Preface 2. Childhood in Peebles 3. Early Education 4. The Dark Ages 5. The Early Struggle 6. The Antiquarian and Local Historian 7. The Folklorist 8. The Family Man 10. The Publisher and Social Observer 11. Publisher and Mass Educator 12. The Writing of Vestiges 14. The Reception of Vestiges 14. Biographer and Historian 15. The Whole Man 16. The Written Works of Robert Chambers 17. Selected Further Reading

This is a book on the life and times of Robert Chambers, founder of W. & R. Chambers publishers. Although there are now books based on some of his letters and on the impact of one of his books, The Vestiges of Natural Creation, there are no books on the whole man and his life. Written by Iris Macfarlane with Alan Macfarlane, the book weaves together three strands. At one level, it is a biography of Chambers and his family; the portrait of a rise from absolute poverty to great wealth and influence. At the second it provides the context of his life by the way of a portrait of nineteenth century Edinburgh as seen through his eyes. At the third it explores the intellectual and organisational revolutions embodied in his life, the explorations in history, folklore, geology, publishing, education and many other fields which made him one of the most exciting thinkers of his age. It is based on extensive archival research among the Chambers' archives in Edinburgh and conversations with his descendants.Please note: This title is co-published with Social Science Press, New Delhi. Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

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