New York University Press
New York University Press, usually called NYU Press, began in 1916 as an idea of the university's own chancellor, Elmer Ellsworth Brown. A chancellor starting a publishing house is a curious choice, because universities more often leave printing to others. Today the press is a university press that belongs to New York University. Who steered it through its first century? Why did one long stretch pass with nobody holding the top job? And which books earned a small academic imprint a reputation beyond campus?
Arthur Huntington Nason held the first directorship, serving from 1916 until 1932. After he left, the post stayed empty for fourteen years, and the press had no director at all from 1932 to 1946. Jean B. Barr then took over in an interim capacity and remained until 1952. Filmore Hyde followed and ran the press until 1957. The next year was another stopgap, with Wilbur McKee serving as acting director from 1957 to 1958. William B. Harvey brought steadier leadership, directing from 1958 to 1966. Christopher Kentera held the job from 1966 to 1974, and Malcolm C. Johnson from 1974 to 1981. Colin Jones then led the press for fifteen years, from 1981 to 1996. Niko Pfund directed it from 1996 to 2000, and Steve Maikowski from 2001 to 2014. Ellen Chodosh stepped in after him and served until 2024. The current director is Eric Schwartz, who took the post in 2024.
For a long time, NYU Press was best known for one monumental project, The Collected Writings of Walt Whitman. That reputation has since widened considerably. The press has published many scholarly works that won awards. Among the best known is The Encyclopedia of Jewish Life Before and During the Holocaust, which appeared in 2002. Shuly Schwartz wrote The Rabbi's Wife, published in 2006. Henry Jenkins wrote Convergence Culture, which followed in 2007. The press has also published Cary Nelson, Jonathon Hafetz, Samuel R. Delany and Mark Denbeaux. A press founded by a chancellor in 1916 now counts a media scholar like Jenkins among its most recognized authors.
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Common questions
What is New York University Press?
New York University Press, also called NYU Press, is a university press that is part of New York University.
When was New York University Press founded?
New York University Press was founded in 1916 by the then chancellor of NYU, Elmer Ellsworth Brown.
Who was the first director of New York University Press?
Arthur Huntington Nason was the first director of New York University Press, serving from 1916 to 1932.
Who is the current director of New York University Press?
Eric Schwartz has directed New York University Press since 2024, succeeding Ellen Chodosh, who served from 2014 to 2024.
Did New York University Press ever go without a director?
Yes. New York University Press had no director from 1932 to 1946. Jean B. Barr then served as interim director from 1946 to 1952.
What is New York University Press best known for publishing?
New York University Press was once best known for The Collected Writings of Walt Whitman. It has since published award-winning scholarly works such as Convergence Culture (2007) by Henry Jenkins and The Rabbi's Wife (2006) by Shuly Schwartz.
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5 references cited across the entry
- 3NYU Press » Historynyupress.org