What was the first Penguin Classic ever published?
The first Penguin Classic was E. V. Rieu's translation of The Odyssey, published in 1946. Rieu went on to become the general editor of the series.
Questions about Penguin Classics
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who were the editors of Penguin Classics after E. V. Rieu?
Betty Radice and Robert Baldick succeeded Rieu as joint editors in 1964. Radice became sole editor in 1974 and served in that role for 21 years, expanding the series and adding scholarly apparatus to editions.
What do the cover colors on Penguin Classics mean?
A 1985 redesign introduced color-coded spines to indicate language and period: red for English, purple for ancient Latin and Greek, yellow for medieval and continental European languages, and green for other languages.
How many Penguin Classics titles exist?
A 2008 annotated listing published by Penguin Books USA indicated over 1,300 titles, with more to be published. In 2005, a partial collection of 1,082 books was sold on Amazon.com for US$7,989.50.
Why was Morrissey's Autobiography published by Penguin Classics?
Penguin Classics published Morrissey's Autobiography in 2013, arguing it was "a classic in the making." The decision was controversial, with critics arguing it diluted the imprint's reputation.
Who designed the Penguin Clothbound Classics series?
Penguin Clothbound Classics, begun in 2008, were designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith. The hardbound editions are wrapped in Brillianta rayon cloth, and since 2021 a more durable cover design has been used.