Dictionary of Indian Biography/Chambers, Sir Robert
CHAMBERS, SIR ROBERT (1737–1803)
Son of Robert Chambers, of Newcastle : born 1737 educated there and at Lincoln College, Oxford (Exhibitioner) : Fellow of University College, 1761; M.A., 1761; B.C.L., 1765; Vinerian Professor of Law, 1762–77 : Principal of New Inn Hall, Oxford, in 1766. In 1744 he joined the Calcutta Supreme Court as second Judge, Sir Elijah Impey being Chief : knighted in 1778 : lived for several years in a garden-house, at Bhawanipur : he became Chief Justice in 1791 : retired in 1799 : declined a peerage : died in Paris, May 9, 1803 : a monument by Nollekens is in the Temple Church, where he was buried. He was a friend of Dr. Johnson from 1766, and of Sir Philip Francis in Calcutta. He was one of the Judges on the trial of Nuncomar for forgery, when the latter was convicted, and hanged on Aug. 5, 1775. Chambers left some legal writings, and a collection of Sanskrit MSS.