Subsequently he for some time had charge of Dr. Williams's Library, and he also acted as minister at a meeting-house near the Tower of London.
[1] Around 1789 Calder moved from Furnival's Inn to Croydon, where he knew the scholar East Apthorp well enough to send John Nichols details which were inserted in Literary Anecdotes.
[1] When a new edition of the Cyclopædia of Ephraim Chambers was proposed, Calder was engaged as provisional editor, drew up a plan, and wrote some articles.
In the discussion which ensued with the publisher William Strahan, Calder offended Johnson and was deprived of the editorship, which went to Abraham Rees.
While at Alnwick he made the acquaintance of Thomas Percy whom he assisted in preparing a new edition of the Tatler, Spectator, and Guardian, with notes and illustrations.