Prometheus Books
August 1969 marked the birth of Prometheus Books in Amherst, New York. Philosopher Paul Kurtz established this publishing house with a specific mission. He named the company after the Greek Titan who stole fire from Zeus. This mythological figure gave that stolen flame to humanity as a metaphor for enlightenment. Kurtz intended his company to bring knowledge to people who sought it outside traditional religious structures. The Council for Secular Humanism also emerged from Kurtz during this same period. His vision was to create a platform for skeptical inquiry and secular thought. The name itself signaled a break from conventional publishing norms of the late 1960s.
Prometheus Books published its first titles on topics like science and freethought immediately after founding. It has been categorized under atheism since that initial year of 1969. Critics now call it the grandfather of atheist publishing within America. Jonathan Kurtz served as an executive editor while the company expanded its reach. By 2013, the publisher held roughly 1,700 books currently available in print. They release approximately 95 to 100 new books every single year. Over five decades, they have issued more than 2,500 volumes total. In 1998, Prometheus acquired the bulk of manuscripts from Humanities Press International. This acquisition formed the foundation for their scholarly imprint named Humanity Books. That imprint distributes academic works through the Rowman & Littlefield division today.
March 2005 saw the launch of Pyr, a dedicated science fiction and fantasy imprint. This move targeted readers interested in speculative fiction beyond standard commercial lines. October 2012 introduced Seventh Street Books as a crime fiction label. These specialized imprints aimed to diversify revenue streams beyond philosophy and skepticism. The strategy changed quickly when both labels were sold off in 2018. The core business remained focused on secular humanism and critical thinking topics. The headquarters building itself was sold in early 2019 for over one million dollars. This financial shift reflected changing market demands for genre-specific publishing houses.
A major legal battle erupted in 1992 involving psychic Uri Geller. He sued Victor J. Stenger and Prometheus Books regarding the book Physics and Psychics. The court dismissed the suit against the publisher and author. Geller ended up paying more than twenty thousand dollars in costs to the defendants. He also filed a separate lawsuit over James Randi's book The Truth About Uri Geller. Randi claimed his work exposed fraudulent claims made by the famous spoon-bender. These high-profile cases tested the company's commitment to skeptical inquiry. They demonstrated that Prometheus would defend its authors even under significant financial pressure from wealthy critics.
Random House partnered with Prometheus Books in 2013 to boost sales figures. That alliance expanded distribution networks across international markets significantly. the 30th of June 2019 marked the end of Random House handling their titles. Rowman & Littlefield acquired the entire company later that same year. The parent organization changed its name to The Globe Pequot Publishing Group in 2024. This rebranding followed the sale of their academic business to Bloomsbury Publishing. Prometheus Books remains one of several imprints within this larger group today. The original headquarters building was sold shortly after the acquisition finalized.
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Common questions
When was Prometheus Books founded and by whom?
Prometheus Books was established in August 1969 by philosopher Paul Kurtz. The company originated in Amherst, New York with a mission to provide knowledge outside traditional religious structures.
What is the total number of books published by Prometheus Books over five decades?
Over five decades, Prometheus Books has issued more than 2,500 volumes total. By 2013, the publisher held roughly 1,700 books currently available in print while releasing approximately 95 to 100 new books every single year.
Why did Prometheus Books acquire Humanities Press International in 1998?
Prometheus Books acquired the bulk of manuscripts from Humanities Press International in 1998 to form the foundation for their scholarly imprint named Humanity Books. That imprint now distributes academic works through the Rowman & Littlefield division today.
Who won the legal battle involving Uri Geller against Prometheus Books in 1992?
The court dismissed the suit filed by psychic Uri Geller against Victor J. Stenger and Prometheus Books regarding the book Physics and Psychics. Geller ended up paying more than twenty thousand dollars in costs to the defendants after losing the case.
When did Random House stop handling titles for Prometheus Books and who took over?
The 30th of June 2019 marked the end of Random House handling their titles. Rowman & Littlefield acquired the entire company later that same year before its parent organization changed its name to The Globe Pequot Publishing Group in 2024.