— Ch. 1 · Founding And Early Vision —
Open Court Publishing Company.
~2 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
Edward C. Hegeler established Open Court Publishing Company in 1887 within the industrial heart of Chicago, Illinois. He was a zinc manufacturer who led the Matthiessen-Hegeler Zinc Company, once the largest producer of that metal in the United States. His goal was not to sell books for profit alone but to discuss religious and psychological problems through scientific principles. The firm aimed to apply the scientific world-conception directly to matters of faith. This vision created a unique space where industry wealth met philosophical inquiry from its very first day.
The Hegeler Carus Mansion Era
For eighty years, the company operated out of the historic Hegeler Carus Mansion located in LaSalle, Illinois. This physical location served as both home and office for the publishing house during its early decades. The building stood as a constant presence while the editorial staff worked inside its walls. It remained the headquarters until the firm eventually moved its operations elsewhere after that long period. The mansion itself became an integral part of the organization's identity throughout those eight decades.Paul Carus Editorial Leadership
Paul Carus took over as editor of The Open Court journal by the end of 1887 following Benjamin F. Underwood's resignation. He had been appointed managing editor earlier that year and was also Edward C. Hegeler's son-in-law through his marriage to Mary Hegeler Carus. Carus edited the publication for thirty-two years until his death in 1936. During this time, he shaped the magazine into a platform for discussing science and religion together. The journal continued under his direction until 1936 when it ceased publication by the original company.