Layman Chambers Robert (2 results)

Soft cover. Condition: Near Fine. First Edition. 1990. viii, 196pp. B&W illustrations. "Robert Chambers' life (1802-71) is a classic rags-to-riches story. Forced to leave his school in Peebles at the age of 13 after his father was swindled and bankrupted, he set himself up as an Edinburgh bookseller with an original stock consisting of his old schoolbooks. Yet with his brother William, he set up one of the largest publishing houses in the English-speaking world (W. and R. Chambers); he became a respected popular writer (with the support of Sir Walter Scott) and in 1844 published an anonymous and controversial book on evolution theory, Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation. Man of Letter shows the more sensitive side to the acute businessman, weaving together his private letters and unpublished reminiscences. It describes his colorful early life in Peebles, his initial struggle in Edinburgh, and his touching love affair with nineteen-year-old Anne Kirkwood, conducted almost entirely by post. Painstakingly researched, this is a delightful human story which also gives a unique insight into nineteenth-century Scottish life." The book is in excellent condition. There are no inscriptions and all contents are tight and clean.…

Hardback ISBN 0748601643 Cloth covers with gilt titles. A nice clean and tight used copy. Dustwrapper has light shelfwear at edges, now in removeable clearview cover. 196 pages, index. Illus with B & W plates. 9" x 5.5" Wt 0.6 Kg Very Good (Very Good).