Questions about Stanley Unwin (publisher)

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When did Stanley Unwin purchase a controlling interest in George Allen and Sons?

Stanley Unwin purchased a controlling interest in George Allen and Sons on the 1st of January 1914. This transaction transformed his career from an employee into a business owner.

What famous books did Stanley Unwin publish during the 1930s and 1950s?

Lancelot Hogben released two bestsellers titled Mathematics for the Million and Science for the Citizen in the 1930s. Thor Heyerdahl contributed The Kon-Tiki Expedition which appeared in 1950.

How did Rayner Unwin influence the publication of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien?

Stanley Unwin paid his ten-year-old son Rayner Unwin one shilling to write a report on the manuscript. Rayner gave a favourable response that prompted the decision to publish the book.

Which organizations did Stanley Unwin serve with throughout his publishing career?

He served with the Publishers Association and the International Publishers Association. The British Council also counted him among its key figures.

When was The Silmarillion finally published by Stanley Unwin after being rejected earlier?

Allen & Unwin finally published The Silmarillion after Tolkien's death in 1977. The firm turned down that earlier manuscript because it was too Celtic.