Heinemann (publisher)
William Heinemann opened his doors in Covent Garden, London, during 1890. The first book to bear the company name was Hall Caine's The Bondman. This title became a stunning success and sold more than 450,000 copies within the United Kingdom. Such sales figures launched the new firm into immediate prominence. He had previously worked under Nicolas Trübner, who specialized in Oriental scholarship. When Trübner died, his firm merged with Kegan Paul. Heinemann left that partnership to start his own venture. In 1893, Sydney Pawling joined him as a partner. They soon began publishing works by Sarah Grand. The company also released translations under the branding of Heinemann's International Library. Edmund Gosse edited this specific series for them.
In 1912, the company began publishing the Loeb Classical Library series. This project placed ancient Greek or Latin text on the left-hand page. A literal translation appeared on the right hand page. Critics later called this the most significant parallel-text translation effort ever. Since 1934, Harvard University has co-published these volumes with them. The firm also released a number of works translated into English under the branding of Heinemann's International Library. Edmund Gosse edited that specific series for them. They published the British version of Scribners' Great Educators series under the title Heinemann's Great Educators series. That edition did not include credits for original American editor Nicholas Murray Butler. Thomas Davidson and Aristotle Ancient Educational Ideals were part of that New York publication from Charles Scribner's Sons in 1892. Critics noted this omission at the time.
Heinemann died in 1920, leaving his business to others. A majority stake was purchased by U.S. publisher Doubleday. Theodore Byard joined to lead the offices after working as a professional singer. Doubleday sold their interest in 1933. Through the 1950s, Tilling Group slowly took over the company via its investment arm. In 1953 they opened offices in The Hague for sales in continental Europe. BTR plc bought Thomas Tilling in 1983. They were not interested in the publishing division. Heinemann was put on the block and purchased by Octopus Publishing Group in 1985. Octopus merged with Reed International in 1987. Random House bought trade assets named William Heinemann in 1997. Egmont Group acquired children's publishing while Macmillan Education took ELT in 1998. Pearson purchased UK and South African arms in May 2007. Houghton Mifflin bought American operations later that year.
In 1957, Heinemann Educational Books created the African Writers Series. Alan Hill and Van Milne spearheaded this project. Chinua Achebe served as the first advisory editor of the series. This initiative focused on publishing writers from Africa. The company received the 1992 Worldaware Award for Social Progress. Inspired by that success, Leon Comber launched Writing in Asia Series in 1966 from Singapore. Two Austin Coates books became bestsellers within that collection. Myself a Mandarin and City of Broken Promises sold well. The series folded in 1984 after more than 70 titles appeared. In 1970, James Currey launched Caribbean Writers Series at HEB. That model republished work by major Caribbean writers. Pearson relaunched the African Writers Series in 2011. They called for submissions to revive the catalog. Most successors continue to use the Heinemann imprint today.
Heinemann Publishing was established in the United States in 1978. It functioned as a U.S. subsidiary of Heinemann UK. The firm published books for school teachers of language arts K, 12. Remaining educational units became part of Harcourt Education when Reed Elsevier purchased the company in 2001. Pearson bought the UK, South African, Australian and New Zealand arms in May 2007. Houghton Mifflin acquired American operations a few months later. Pearson sold the school library publisher Heinemann-Raintree to Capstone Publishers in 2008. Egmont Group sold its UK book division to HarperCollins in 2020. Penguin Random House merged William Heinemann with Hutchinson to form Hutchinson Heinemann in 2021. Charles Pick served as Managing Director from 1979 to 1985. His archive now resides at the University of East Anglia. The original headquarters in rural Kingswood, Surrey, was sold for development by Octopus shortly after acquisition.
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Common questions
When did William Heinemann open his publishing company in London?
William Heinemann opened his doors in Covent Garden, London during 1890. The first book to bear the company name was Hall Caine's The Bondman which sold more than 450,000 copies within the United Kingdom.
What series did Heinemann start in 1957 to publish African writers?
Heinemann Educational Books created the African Writers Series in 1957 with Alan Hill and Van Milne spearheading the project. Chinua Achebe served as the first advisory editor of this initiative which focused on publishing writers from Africa.
Who edited the Heinemann International Library series for the publisher?
Edmund Gosse edited the specific series known as Heinemann's International Library for the firm. This branding also included translations under that same title alongside other works like the Great Educators series.
Which year did Pearson purchase the UK and South African arms of Heinemann?
Pearson purchased UK and South African arms in May 2007. Houghton Mifflin bought American operations later that year following the acquisition by Pearson.
When did William Heinemann die and who took over his business?
William Heinemann died in 1920 leaving his business to others. A majority stake was subsequently purchased by U.S. publisher Doubleday before Theodore Byard joined to lead the offices after working as a professional singer.