Robert W. Chambers

Robert W. Chambers[1†]

Robert William Chambers (May 26, 1865 – December 16, 1933) was an American artist and fiction writer[1†]. He is best known for his book of short stories titled “The King in Yellow”, which was published in 1895[1†]. This collection of Art Nouveau short stories is connected by the theme of a fictitious drama of the same title, which drives those who read it insane[1†]. E. F. Bleiler described “The King in Yellow” as one of the most important works of American supernatural fiction[1†]. It was also strongly admired by H. P. Lovecraft and his circle[1†].

Early Years and Education

Robert W. Chambers was born on May 26, 1865, in Brooklyn, New York[1†]. His parents were William P. Chambers, a corporate and bankruptcy lawyer, and Caroline Smith Boughton[1†]. His parents met when his mother was twelve years old and William P. was interning with her father, Joseph Boughton, a prominent corporate lawyer[1†]. The Chambers family was of high social status, and much was expected from Robert and his brother, Walter Boughton Chambers, who later became an architect[1†][2†].

Chambers spent his younger years at the Brooklyn Polytechnic School[1†][3†]. Around the age of twenty, he attended the Art Students’ League in New York, where the artist Charles Dana Gibson was a fellow student[1†]. His education continued abroad, where he studied art at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Académie Julian in Paris from 1886 to 1893[1†][3†]. His work was displayed at the Salon as early as 1889[1†]. During this time, he also spent a summer studying and writing at the University of Munich[1†][3†].

These formative years and educational experiences played a significant role in shaping Chambers as an artist and writer. His exposure to different cultures and artistic styles during his studies in Paris and Munich undoubtedly influenced his later work[1†][3†].

Career Development and Achievements

Upon returning to America in 1892 after his studies in Paris and Munich, Chambers began drawing illustrations for magazines like Vogue, Life, and Truth[1†][4†]. His friend, Charles Dana Gibson, also submitted sketches to Life magazine, but only Chambers’ sketch of Gibson was published[1†][4†]. Despite this early success, Chambers soon shifted his focus to writing[1†][4†].

Chambers’ first novel, “In the Quarter”, was written in 1887 during his time at the University of Munich[1†][4†]. However, it was his book of short stories titled “The King in Yellow”, published in 1895, that brought him significant recognition[1†]. This collection of Art Nouveau short stories is connected by the theme of a fictitious drama of the same title, which drives those who read it insane[1†]. E. F. Bleiler described “The King in Yellow” as one of the most important works of American supernatural fiction[1†]. It was also strongly admired by H. P. Lovecraft and his circle[1†].

Over the next forty years, Chambers published 72 novels, numerous short stories, and several plays[1†][4†]. His early writings covered diverse subjects such as the supernatural and historical romances[1†][4†]. Despite the high praise from literary critics for his early work, as he became more successful, the critics grew more critical[1†][4†].

In addition to his writing, Chambers was a man of varied interests. He was a historian, artist, outdoorsman, collector of rare furniture and fine art, expert on Chinese and Japanese antiquities, collector of North American butterflies, and a conservationist[1†][5†]. He was once responsible for the planting of around 25,000 trees in Broadalbin, New York[1†][5†].

First Publication of His Main Works

Robert W. Chambers’ most famous work is undoubtedly “The King in Yellow”, a collection of Art Nouveau short stories published in 1895[1†]. This book, which includes several highly regarded supernatural fiction stories, is connected by the theme of a fictitious drama of the same title, which drives those who read it insane[1†]. It was strongly admired by H. P. Lovecraft and his circle[1†].

Here are some of his main works along with their first year of publication:

• “In the Quarter” (1894)[1†][6†]
• “The King in Yellow” (1895)[1†]
• “The Red Republic” (1895)[1†][6†]
• “The Repairer of Reputations” (1895)[1†]
• “The Mask” (1895)[1†][7†]
• “In the Court of the Dragon” (1895)[1†][7†]
• “The Yellow Sign” (1895)[1†][7†]
• “The Demoiselle d’Ys” (1895)[1†][7†]
• “In Search of the Unknown” (1904)[1†][7†]
• “The Green Mouse” (1910)[1†][7†]

Each of these works contributed to Chambers’ reputation as a significant figure in American supernatural fiction. His unique blend of Art Nouveau and Decadent literature styles, combined with his ability to weave complex narratives, made his works stand out[1†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Robert W. Chambers’ work, particularly “The King in Yellow”, has had a significant impact on the genre of supernatural fiction[8†]. His unique blend of Art Nouveau and Decadent literature styles, combined with his ability to weave complex narratives, made his works stand out[8†].

“The Mask”, one of the stories in “The King in Yellow”, begins with a scene commonly referred to as “the unmasking” which seems to have been largely influenced by the Edgar Allan Poe horror tale, "The Masque of the Red Death"[8†]. The story explores themes of indulgence, appetite, eccentricity, and the consequences of our actions[8†]. Chambers introduces us to this episode in “The King in Yellow” as a means of introducing the story’s larger theme: our actions – our indulgences, our appetites, our eccentricities – have a payback, and eventually we must face them[8†].

Chambers’ work reflects the climate of the 1890s, an era renowned for its decadence and debauchery[8†]. Like the revelers in the Poe story, the artistic and aristocratic communities of the 1890s seemed bound and determined to test their moral boundaries, to defy their mortality, and to deny the consequences of their actions[8†].

E. F. Bleiler described “The King in Yellow” as one of the most important works of American supernatural fiction[8†][1†]. It was also strongly admired by H. P. Lovecraft and his circle[8†][1†].

Personal Life

Robert W. Chambers was born in Brooklyn, New York, to William P. Chambers, a corporate and bankruptcy lawyer, and Caroline Smith Boughton[1†]. His parents met when his mother was twelve years old and William P. was interning with her father, Joseph Boughton, a prominent corporate lawyer[1†]. Eventually, the two formed the law firm of Chambers and Boughton which continued to prosper even after Joseph’s death in 1861[1†].

Chambers was the New York-born son of famous attorney William P. Chambers[1†][9†]. He had a brother, renowned architect Walter Boughton Chambers[1†][4†].

On July 12, 1898, he married Elsa Vaughn Moller[1†]. They had one son, author Robert Edward Stuart Chambers (a.k.a. Robert Husted Chambers)[1†][4†]. He was survived by his wife, the former Elsa Vaughn Moller (1882-1939), a son, and a brother[1†][4†].

Chambers for several years made Broadalbin, New York, his summer home[1†]. Some of his novels touch upon colonial life in Broadalbin and Johnstown[1†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Robert W. Chambers’ legacy is largely defined by his contribution to the field of supernatural fiction[1†]. His most notable work, “The King in Yellow”, is considered one of the most important works of American supernatural fiction[1†]. The book, which includes a collection of Art Nouveau short stories, has been highly esteemed and was strongly admired by H. P. Lovecraft and his circle[1†].

Chambers’ work has had a lasting impact on the genre, influencing many writers who came after him[1†]. His stories often centered on characters who were artists or decadents, inhabitants of the demi-monde[1†][10†]. The eerie symbol called the Yellow Sign and the mysterious and malevolent supernatural entity known as the King in Yellow are recurring motifs in his stories[1†][10†].

Beyond his writing, Chambers also left a mark on his community. He was responsible for the planting of around 25,000 trees in Broadalbin, New York[1†][4†].

Despite the shift in tone in his later works, Chambers’ early contributions to supernatural fiction have ensured his place in literary history[1†]. His work continues to be studied and appreciated for its unique blend of horror, supernatural elements, and artistry[1†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Unknown
• Born: May 26, 1865, Brooklyn, New York, U.S[1†].
• Died: December 16, 1933, New York City, U.S[1†].
• Nationality: American[1†].
• Occupation: Novelist and short story author[1†].
• Notable Works: The King in Yellow[1†].
• Notable Achievements: Chambers’ book of short stories, The King in Yellow, is considered one of the most important works of American supernatural fiction[1†]. It was also strongly admired by H. P. Lovecraft and his circle[1†].

References and Citations:

1. Wikipedia (English) - Robert W. Chambers [website] - link
2. Study.com - Robert W. Chambers: Biography & Quotes [website] - link
3. IMDb - Robert W. Chambers [website] - link
4. IMDb - Robert W. Chambers - Biography [website] - link
5. CelebsAgeWiki - Robert W. Chambers Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family [website] - link
6. Wikisource (English) - Robert William Chambers [website] - link
7. Goodreads - Author: Books by Robert W. Chambers (Author of The King in Yellow) [website] - link
8. Oldstyle Tales Press - Robert W. Chambers' The Mask: A Detailed Summary and a Literary Analysis [website] - link
9. Famous Birthdays - Robert W. Chambers - Trivia, Family, Bio [website] - link
10. Wikipedia (English) - The King in Yellow [website] - link