Chambers (Ephraim), originator of the Cyclopædia of Arts and Sciences, b. Kendal about 1680. The first edition of his work appeared in 1728, and procured him admission to the Royal Society. A French translation gave rise to Diderot and D’Alembert’s Encyclopédie. Chambers also edited the Literary Magazine, 1836, etc. His infidel opinions were well known, and the Cyclopædia was placed upon the Index, but he was buried in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey. Died 15 May, 1740.
Chamfort (Sébastien Roch Nicolas), French man of letters, b. in Auvergne, near Clermont, 1741. He knew no parent but his mother, a peasant girl, to supply whose wants he often denied himself necessaries. At Paris he gained a prize from the Academy for his eulogy on Molière. About 1776 he published a Dramatic Dictionary and wrote several plays. In 1781 he obtained a seat in the Academy, being patronised by Mme. Helvetius. He became a friend of Mirabeau, who called him une tête électrique. In 1790 he commenced a work called Pictures of the Revolution. In the following year he became secretary of the Jacobin Club and National Librarian. Arrested by Robespierre, he desperately, but vainly, endeavored to commit suicide. He died 13 April, 1794, leaving behind numerous works and a collection of Maxims, Thoughts, Characters, and Anecdotes, which show profound genius and knowledge of human nature.
Chapman (John), M.R.C.S., b. 1839. Has written largely in the Westminster Review, of which he is proprietor.
Chappellsmith (Margaret), née Reynolds, b. Aldgate, 22 Feb. 1806. Early in life she read the writings of Cobbett. In ’36 she began writing political articles in the Dispatch, and afterwards became a Socialist and Freethought lecturess. She married John Chappellsmith in ’39, and in ’42 she began business as a bookseller. In ’37 she expressed a preference for the development theory before that of creation. In ’50 they emigrated to the United States, where Mrs. Chappellsmith contributed many articles to the Boston Investigator.
Charles (Rudolf). See [Giessenburg].
Charma (Antoine), French philosopher, b. 15 Jan. 1801. In ’30 he was nominated to the Chair of Philosophy at Caen. He was denounced for his impiety by the Count de Montalembert in the Chamber of peers, and an endeavor was made to unseat him. He wrote many philosophical works, and an account of Didron’s Histoire de Dieu. Died 5 Aug. 1869.
Charron (Pierre), French priest and sceptic, b. Paris, 1513. He was an intimate friend of Montaigne. His principal work is a Treatise on Wisdom, 1601, which was censured as irreligious by the Jesuits. Franck says “the scepticism of Charron inclines visibly to ‘sensualisme’ and even to materialism.” Died Paris, 16 Nov. 1603.
Chassebœuf de Volney (Constantin François). See [Volney].
Chastelet du or Chatelet Lomont (Gabrielle Emilie le Tonnelier de Breteuil), Marquise, French savante, b. Paris, 17 Dec 1706. She was learned in mathematics and other sciences, and in Latin, English and Italian. In 1740 she published a work on physical philosophy entitled Institutions de Physique. She afterwards made a good French translation of Newton’s Principia. She lived some years with Voltaire at Cirey between 1735 and 1747, and addressed to him Doubts on Revealed Religions, published in 1792. She also wrote a Treatise on Happiness, which was praised by Condorcet.
Chastellux (François Jean de), Marquis. A soldier, traveller and writer, b. Paris 1734. Wrote On Public Happiness (2 vols., Amst. 1776), a work Voltaire esteemed highly. He contributed to the Encyclopédie; one article on “Happiness,” being suppressed by the censor because it did not mention God. Died Paris, 28 Oct. 1788.