William Chambers was a Scottish publisher and writer, best known for his work in the 19th century. He co-founded the publishing company Chambers & Co. in 1832, which became famous for its encyclopedias and reference books. His most notable work is the Chambers Encyclopedia, first published in 1860, which aimed to provide accessible knowledge to the general public. In addition to his publishing career, Chambers was also involved in various social and educational reforms. He was a strong advocate for the importance of education and literacy, believing that knowledge should be available to everyone. His contributions significantly impacted the publishing industry and the dissemination of information in Scotland and beyond.