CHAMBERS, WILLIAM (1800-1883).--Publisher and miscellaneous author, _b._ at Peebles, started in 1832 with his brother Robert (_q.v._) _Chambers's Journal_, and soon after joined him in the firm of W. and R. Chambers. Besides contributions to the _Journal_ he wrote several books, including a _History of Peeblesshire_ (1864), and an autobiography of himself and his brother. C. was a man of great business capacity, and, though of less literary distinction than his brother, did much for the dissemination of cheap and useful literature. He was Lord Provost of Edin. 1865-69, and was an LL.D. of the Univ. of that city. He restored the ancient church of St. Giles there. CHAMIER, FREDERICK (1796-1870).--Novelist, was in the navy, in which he rose to the rank of Captain. Retiring in 1827, he wrote several sea novels somewhat in the style of Marryat, including _Life of a Sailor_ (1832), _Ben Brace_, _Jack Adams_, and _Tom Bowling_ (1841). He also continued James's _Naval History_, and wrote books of travel. CHANNING, WILLIAM ELLERY (1780-1842).--American Divine, _b._ at Newport, Rhode Island, was for a time a minister in the Congregationalist Church, but became the leader of the Unitarians in New England. He had a powerful influence on the thought and literature of his time in America, and was the author of books on Milton and Fénelon, and on social subjects. The elevation and amiability of his character caused him to be held in high esteem. He did not class himself with Unitarians of the school of Priestley, but claimed to "stand aloof from all but those who strive and pray for clearer light." CHAPMAN, GEORGE (1559-1634).--Dramatist and translator, was _b._ near Hitchin, and probably _ed._ at Oxf. and Camb. He wrote many plays, including _The Blind Beggar of Alexandria_ (1596), _All Fools_ (1599), _A Humerous Daye's Myrthe_ (1599), _Eastward Hoe_ (with Jonson), _The Gentleman Usher_, _Monsieur d'Olive_, etc. As a dramatist he has humour, and vigour, and occasional poetic fire, but is very unequal. His great work by which he lives in literature is his translation of Homer. The _Iliad_ was _pub._ in 1611, the _Odyssey_ in 1616, and the _Hymns_, etc., in 1624. The work is full of energy and spirit, and well maintains its place among the many later translations by men of such high poetic powers as Pope and Cowper, and others: and it had the merit of suggesting Keats's immortal Sonnet, in which its name and memory are embalmed for many who know it in no other way. C. also translated from Petrarch, and completed Marlowe's unfinished _Hero and Leander_. CHAPONE, HESTER (MULSO) (1727-1801).--Miscellaneous writer, _dau._ of a gentleman of Northamptonshire, was _m._ to a solicitor, who _d._ a few months afterwards. She was one of the learned ladies who gathered round Mrs. Montague (_q.v._), and was the author of _Letters on the Improvement of the Mind_ and _Miscellanies_.