Henry Colburn's origins remain shrouded in mystery, with no definitive record of his parentage or early years. While official documents from the London Metropolitan Archives suggest he was 65 at his death in 1855, the 1851 census lists him as 66, born in Chelsea, creating a discrepancy that has fueled speculation. Historian Michael Sadleir proposed a compelling theory: Colburn may have been the illegitimate son of an Englishman and a French mother, a background that would explain his fluency in French and the financial capital he possessed as a young man. This ambiguity of birth set the stage for a career built on the margins of society, where he would eventually rise to become one of London's most influential publishers. His early life was documented only as an apprentice printer indentured for six years to William Earle, a bookseller on Albemarle Street, on the 1st of June 1800, for the sum of £1,000. This apprenticeship placed him within an established English and foreign language library, giving him the tools and connections necessary to launch his own venture.
The French Connection
In 1806, Colburn acquired Morgan's circulating library on Conduit Street, marking the beginning of his publishing empire. His early strategy was bold and innovative: he published French novels in their original language under the imprint Chez Colburn before reissuing them in English translation. This approach catered to a growing appetite for continental literature among the British elite. The table of his early publications reveals a diverse catalog, ranging from Kotzebue's Anecdotes, Interesting Narratives, and Miscellanies in November 1806 to Ducray-Duminil's Convent of Notre Dame, or Jeannette in March 1807. He also ventured into non-fiction, publishing Daniel Boileau's An Essay on the Study of Statistics in April 1807. By 1808, his list included works by de Genlis, such as Le Duc de Lauzun and The Romance of the Appennines, alongside translations of French authors like Cottin. This dual-language strategy not only expanded his market but also established Colburn as a bridge between British and French literary cultures, a role that would define his career.
Scandal and Silver Forks
The 16th of November 1816 marked a turning point in Colburn's career with the publication of Lady Caroline Lamb's Glenarvon, a roman à clef that became a succès de scandale. The novel went through four editions and sold exceptionally well, drawing attention to Colburn's ability to navigate the boundaries of respectability and controversy. This success was followed by another hit, Lady Morgan's France, published in 1817, which faced a furious attack in the Quarterly Review in April 1817 but emerged stronger from the criticism. Glenarvon was a harbinger of Colburn's later innovation: the silver fork novel, a genre that offered readers a thrilling glimpse into the lives of the aristocracy. In 1827, he published one of the first science fiction novels, The Mummy! A Tale of the Twenty-Second Century, written by Jane Webb, later known as Jane C. Loudon. These works established Colburn as a publisher who could capitalize on both scandal and innovation, setting the stage for his dominance in the literary market of the 19th century.
Colburn's influence extended beyond books into the world of periodicals, where he demonstrated a keen eye for timing and content. In 1814, with the support of Frederic Shoberl, he launched the New Monthly Magazine, and Universal Register, a direct rival to Sir Richard Phillips's Monthly Magazine. Early editors included John Watkins and Alaric Alexander Watts, and a new series began in 1820 under Thomas Campbell. The magazine featured contributions from Bulwer Lytton, Theodore Hook, and Harrison Ainsworth, and it remained in publication until 1875. On the 25th of January 1817, Colburn introduced the Literary Gazette, the earliest weekly newspaper devoted to literature, science, and the arts. Initially edited by Hannibal Evans Lloyd and Thomasina Ross, the Gazette gained rapid success, with William Jerdan purchasing a third share and becoming sole editor after the 26th number on the 19th of July 1817. By 1842, Jerdan was the sole proprietor, and the Gazette was incorporated with the Parthenon in 1862. Colburn's periodical empire was a testament to his ability to adapt to changing literary tastes and maintain a presence in the public discourse.
The Literary Feuds
Colburn's career was not without conflict, as evidenced by his involvement in literary feuds that shaped the publishing landscape of the time. On the 31st of December 1827, he wrote to William Jerdan expressing his decision to join the Athenaeum, citing the injustice done to his authors by the Literary Gazette. This move led to the founding of the Court Journal in 1828, a publication that Colburn ingeniously renamed from the London Weekly Review, which had been established by David Lester Richardson. Richardson's anticipated rewards evaporated as Colburn took control of the journal, demonstrating his strategic acumen in the competitive world of periodicals. The Court Journal was followed by the United Service Magazine and Naval and Military Journal in 1829, and Colburn maintained an interest in the Sunday Times. These ventures highlighted his ability to navigate the complex relationships between authors, editors, and publishers, often turning potential conflicts into opportunities for growth and influence.
The Diaries and Detectives
Colburn's publishing list included some of the most significant literary works of the 19th century, from diaries to early detective fiction. In 1818, at the suggestion of William Upcott, he published the first edition of John Evelyn's Diary, followed by Richard Griffin, 3rd Baron Braybrooke's edition of Pepys's Diary in 1825, with expanded editions in 1848-49 and 1854. These publications brought historical diaries to a wider audience, cementing Colburn's reputation as a publisher of important historical and literary works. In 1827, he published Thomas Skinner Sturr's anonymous Richmond, or stories in the life of a Bow Street officer, recognized as the earliest collection of detective stories. Additionally, in 1826, he published The Posthumous Works of Anne Radcliffe, featuring Gaston de Blondeville, and A Memoir of The Authoress, the first known biographical work on Mrs. Radcliffe. These works demonstrated Colburn's ability to identify and promote both historical and genre-specific literature, expanding the boundaries of what was considered publishable.
The Naval and Military Library
Colburn's commitment to military and naval history was evident in his publication of The Naval and Military Library of Entertainment, a series of works from the pens of distinguished officers, released in 1834 and comprising 20 volumes. This series included works by Marryat, Gleig, and other lesser-known authors, focusing on nonfiction subjects such as travel, memoirs, and military-related fiction. The series was particularly suited to the tastes and pursuits of members of the Army and Navy, reflecting Colburn's understanding of his audience's interests. He also published several important works on British naval history, including Edward Pelham Brenton's The Naval History of Great Britain in 1837 and Life and Correspondence of John, Earl of St. Vincent in 1838. Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas's seven-volume The Dispatches and Letters of Vice Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, published between 1844 and 1846, further solidified Colburn's reputation as a publisher of authoritative historical works. These publications not only catered to a specific audience but also contributed to the broader understanding of British naval and military history.