Allen, George, & Unwin Ltd

Sectors:

  • Publishing & printing Other publishing

Notes:

Established 1871 by George Allen backed by the writer John Ruskin, d1900; Allen had formerly been Ruskin's general assistant. Sold direct to the public or booksellers, cutting out middlemen and discounting. Initially specialised in publishing Ruskin's work or reprints of it. George joined by his sons to become George Allen & Sons, later George Allen & Co Ltd. Acquired Swan Sonnenschien 1911. Acquired by (Sir) Stanley Unwin and reconstituted by him as George Allen & Unwin Ltd in 1914. Emerged as a leading London house publishing scholarly works, including Bertrand Russell, and educational works as well as politically and socially radical texts, eg for Fabian Society. 1937 gained control of The Bodley Head. Latterly led by Rayner Unwin, 1925-2000, son of Stanley. Following decline in 1986 merged with Bell & Hyman to form Unwin Hyman Ltd. Acquired by HarperCollins 1990 [2023]

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