Robert Chambers (1802-1871) was a Scottish author and publisher and the younger brother of William Chambers of Glenormiston (1800- 1883) who was also a publisher and politician. The two brothers eventually united as partners in the publishing firm of W. & R. Chambers. In the beginning of 1832 William Chambers started a weekly publication under the title of Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, which speedily attained a large circulation. Robert was at first only a contributor. After fourteen numbers had appeared, however, he was associated with his brother as joint editor, and his collaboration contributed more perhaps than anything else to the success of the Journal.