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Macmillan Inc. Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Macmillan Inc.: A Publishing History

Cheat Sheet:
Macmillan Inc.: A Publishing History Study Guide

Founding and Early Independence

Macmillan Inc., the prominent American publishing entity, originated as the United States subsidiary of a British publishing house.

Answer: True

Explanation: Macmillan Inc. was initially established as the American division of the British Macmillan Publishers, marking its origin as a subsidiary.

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The establishment of the first Macmillan office in the United States is attributed to George Edward Brett in 1896.

Answer: False

Explanation: The first Macmillan office in the United States was established by George Edward Brett in August 1869, not 1896.

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In 1896, the Brett family acquired full ownership of Macmillan's U.S. operations, thereby completely severing ties with the British parent company.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the Brett family purchased the U.S. operations in 1896, Macmillan Publishers retained an equity stake until 1951, meaning ties were not completely severed at that time.

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In 1951, Macmillan Publishers (UK) acquired full control of Macmillan US.

Answer: False

Explanation: In 1951, Macmillan Publishers (UK) sold its ownership stake in Macmillan US, rather than acquiring full control.

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What was the initial relationship between Macmillan Inc. (United States) and Macmillan Publishers (United Kingdom)?

Answer: Macmillan Inc. was the American division of the British Macmillan Publishers.

Explanation: Macmillan Inc. originated as the American subsidiary, or division, of the British Macmillan Publishers.

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Who established the first Macmillan office in the United States, and in what year?

Answer: George Edward Brett

Explanation: George Edward Brett established the first Macmillan office in the United States in 1869.

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Describe the process by which the Brett family transitioned Macmillan's U.S. operations into an independent corporate entity.

Answer: George Platt Brett Sr. and Jr. purchased the U.S. operations from the British parent company in 1896.

Explanation: In 1896, George Platt Brett Sr. and Jr. purchased the U.S. operations from the British parent company, establishing an independent American entity, although the parent retained a stake until 1951.

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What significant event transpired in 1951 that altered the relationship between Macmillan Publishers (UK) and Macmillan US?

Answer: Macmillan Publishers (UK) sold its ownership stake in Macmillan US.

Explanation: In 1951, Macmillan Publishers (UK) sold its ownership stake in Macmillan US, marking a significant separation of the two entities.

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The Brett Family Stewardship

George Brett Jr. and Harold Macmillan maintained a close personal friendship, notwithstanding the operational separation of their respective companies.

Answer: True

Explanation: Despite the operational separation of their companies, George Brett Jr. and Harold Macmillan maintained a close personal friendship.

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George P. Brett Jr. articulated the enduring synonymy between his family's name and Macmillan within the United States.

Answer: True

Explanation: In a 1947 letter, George P. Brett Jr. emphasized that the names Brett and Macmillan had become synonymous in the United States, highlighting his family's long association with the company.

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Under the Brett family's leadership, Macmillan published the works of Margaret Mitchell, author of the seminal novel *Gone with the Wind*.

Answer: True

Explanation: Macmillan, under the Brett family's stewardship, published prominent authors including Margaret Mitchell, whose novel *Gone with the Wind* became a literary phenomenon.

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The Brett family's stewardship of Macmillan's American operations spanned a period exceeding one century.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Brett family's control lasted from 1869 until the early 1960s, which is approximately 90 years, not exceeding a century.

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Macmillan US published Imanuel Velikovsky's controversial work, *Worlds in Collision*, subsequently transferring it to Doubleday in response to objections from the astronomical community.

Answer: True

Explanation: Macmillan US published Velikovsky's *Worlds in Collision* in 1950, but transferred it to Doubleday due to astronomical objections and boycott threats.

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Identify the prominent American author whose seminal work, *Gone with the Wind*, was published by Macmillan during the Brett family's stewardship.

Answer: Margaret Mitchell

Explanation: Margaret Mitchell, author of the acclaimed novel *Gone with the Wind*, was among the notable American authors published by Macmillan under the Brett family's leadership.

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What controversy ensued regarding Macmillan US's publication of Imanuel Velikovsky's *Worlds in Collision*, and what was the resolution?

Answer: Astronomers objected, leading to a boycott threat, causing Macmillan US to transfer the book to Doubleday.

Explanation: Macmillan US published Velikovsky's *Worlds in Collision* amidst objections from astronomers, leading to a threatened boycott and the subsequent transfer of the book to Doubleday.

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The Brett family's leadership of Macmillan's U.S. operations is recognized for its exceptional longevity; approximately how long did it endure?

Answer: Over 90 years (1869 - early 1960s)

Explanation: The Brett family's stewardship of Macmillan's U.S. operations lasted from 1869 until the early 1960s, a period of over 90 years.

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What was the significance of George P. Brett Jr.'s 1947 correspondence concerning Macmillan?

Answer: It highlighted the long-standing synonymy of the Brett name and Macmillan in the US.

Explanation: George P. Brett Jr.'s 1947 letter emphasized the synonymy of the Brett name and Macmillan in the United States, reflecting his family's deep connection to the company.

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Expansion and Corporate Evolution

The merger between Macmillan US and Crowell Collier Publishing Company, which ultimately led to the company being renamed Macmillan Inc., occurred in 1973.

Answer: True

Explanation: The merger of Macmillan US and Crowell Collier Publishing Company occurred in 1961, and the company was subsequently renamed Macmillan Inc. in 1973.

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In 1979, Thomas Mellon Evans acquired a substantial stake in Macmillan Inc., subsequently prompting acquisition bids from Mattel and the American Broadcasting Company (ABC).

Answer: True

Explanation: Thomas Mellon Evans purchased a significant stake in Macmillan Inc. in 1979, leading to acquisition interest from Mattel and ABC.

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During the early 1980s, Macmillan Inc. divested certain non-publishing assets, including its bookstore chains such as Brentano's, while retaining its map company, Hagstrom.

Answer: False

Explanation: In the early 1980s, Macmillan Inc. divested its Hagstrom Map company in 1981, along with other assets like Brentano's bookstore chain.

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As part of its strategic expansion, Macmillan Inc. acquired Bradbury Press in 1981.

Answer: True

Explanation: Macmillan Inc. acquired Bradbury Press in 1981 as part of its broader strategy for expansion.

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In 1989, Macmillan Inc. sold Prentice Hall Information to Simon & Schuster and simultaneously acquired Intertec from K-III Communications.

Answer: False

Explanation: In 1989, Macmillan Inc. acquired Prentice Hall Information *from* Simon & Schuster and sold Intertec *to* K-III Communications.

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In the late 1980s, Macmillan Inc. divested its holdings in entities such as the Berlitz language schools and the Gump's department store chain.

Answer: True

Explanation: Macmillan Inc. divested non-publishing assets, including stakes in Berlitz and the Gump's department store chain, during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

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The merger of Macmillan US with Crowell Collier Publishing Company led to what significant corporate change in 1973?

Answer: The company was renamed Macmillan Inc.

Explanation: Following the merger with Crowell Collier Publishing Company in 1961, the entity was renamed Macmillan Inc. in 1973.

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Identify the individual who acquired a substantial stake in Macmillan Inc. in 1979, thereby initiating significant acquisition interest from other corporations.

Answer: Thomas Mellon Evans

Explanation: Thomas Mellon Evans acquired a significant stake in Macmillan Inc. in 1979, which subsequently attracted acquisition bids from other companies.

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Which of the following entities was *not* among the non-publishing divisions divested by Macmillan Inc. during the early 1980s?

Answer: Sams Publishing (printer)

Explanation: Sams Publishing was acquired by Macmillan as part of the ITT publishing operations in 1985, not divested in the early 1980s. C.G. Conn, Hagstrom Map company, and Brentano's bookstore chain were among those divested.

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Macmillan Inc. substantially expanded its publishing portfolio in the mid-1980s through which significant acquisition?

Answer: The Scribner Book Companies and ITT's publishing operations.

Explanation: In the mid-1980s, Macmillan Inc. acquired the Scribner Book Companies and the publishing operations of ITT, significantly expanding its portfolio.

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In 1989, Macmillan Inc. acquired Prentice Hall Information; from which entity was this acquisition made?

Answer: Simon & Schuster

Explanation: In 1989, Macmillan Inc. acquired Prentice Hall Information from Simon & Schuster.

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Which of the following companies was *not* acquired by Macmillan Inc. in 1985 as part of the ITT publishing operations acquisition?

Answer: Sieber & McIntyre

Explanation: Sieber & McIntyre was acquired by Macmillan in 1984, prior to the major ITT publishing operations acquisition in 1985 which included Sams Publishing and Bobbs-Merrill.

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In which year did Macmillan Inc. divest the musical instrument manufacturer C.G. Conn?

Answer: 1980

Explanation: Macmillan Inc. divested the musical instrument maker C.G. Conn in 1980.

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The Maxwell Era and Financial Crisis

In 1989, the British media magnate Robert Maxwell acquired Macmillan Inc. via his holding company, Maxwell Communication Corporation.

Answer: True

Explanation: Robert Maxwell's Maxwell Communication Corporation acquired Macmillan Inc. in 1989.

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Following the acquisition by Robert Maxwell, Macmillan's legal publishing division, Michie Co., was sold to Reed Publishing.

Answer: False

Explanation: After the Maxwell acquisition, Macmillan's legal publisher, Michie Co., was sold to Mead, not Reed Publishing.

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Robert Maxwell's death in 1991 precipitated Macmillan Inc.'s filing for bankruptcy and the subsequent acquisition of its computer publishing division by Paramount.

Answer: True

Explanation: Following Robert Maxwell's death in 1991, Macmillan Inc. began selling assets, filed for bankruptcy, and Paramount acquired its computer publishing division.

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Identify the individual who acquired Macmillan Inc. in 1989, initiating profound changes in its corporate structure and ownership.

Answer: Robert Maxwell

Explanation: Robert Maxwell acquired Macmillan Inc. in 1989, leading to significant shifts in its corporate structure and ownership.

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Subsequent to Robert Maxwell's acquisition, which entity purchased Macmillan's legal publisher, Michie Co.?

Answer: Mead

Explanation: Following the Maxwell acquisition, Macmillan's legal publisher, Michie Co., was sold to Mead.

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What was the principal catalyst for Macmillan Inc.'s filing for bankruptcy?

Answer: The death of Robert Maxwell in 1991 and subsequent property sales.

Explanation: Robert Maxwell's death in 1991 led to a period of asset sales and ultimately Macmillan Inc.'s bankruptcy filing.

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Which entity acquired Macmillan's computer publishing division during the period of its bankruptcy proceedings?

Answer: Paramount

Explanation: Paramount acquired Macmillan's computer publishing division during the company's bankruptcy proceedings.

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Subsequent Ownership and Brand Legacy

*Collier's Encyclopedia* was sold to Thomson Gale following the Maxwell acquisition.

Answer: False

Explanation: *Collier's Encyclopedia* was sold to Planeta and DeAgostini, not Thomson Gale, after the Maxwell acquisition.

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The final disposition of Macmillan Inc.'s remaining assets to Simon & Schuster/Paramount Communications was completed in February 1994 for approximately $552.8 million.

Answer: True

Explanation: The sale of Macmillan Inc.'s remaining assets to Simon & Schuster/Paramount Communications concluded in February 1994 for approximately $552.8 million.

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Post-acquisition by Simon & Schuster, Macmillan's adult trade publications were integrated into Atheneum, and the reference division was rebranded as Macmillan Publishing USA.

Answer: False

Explanation: Following the Simon & Schuster acquisition, Macmillan's adult trade publications were merged into Scribner, not Atheneum.

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Pearson PLC secured the majority of rights to the Macmillan name in America in 1998, subsequent to its acquisition of the Simon & Schuster educational and professional group.

Answer: True

Explanation: Pearson PLC acquired most rights to the Macmillan name in America in 1998 after purchasing the Simon & Schuster educational and professional group.

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Macmillan's school publishing operations were integrated into a joint venture with McGraw-Hill in 1989, culminating in McGraw-Hill securing full ownership in 1993 following the financial repercussions of the Maxwell era.

Answer: True

Explanation: Macmillan's school publishing operations formed a joint venture with McGraw-Hill in 1989, and McGraw-Hill gained full ownership in 1993 after the Maxwell crisis.

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The German publishing house Holtzbrinck acquired the rights to the Macmillan name in the United States in 2001, purchasing them from Pearson.

Answer: True

Explanation: Holtzbrinck acquired the rights to the Macmillan name in the US from Pearson in 2001.

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As of August 2010, Holtzbrinck's United States Macmillan division encompassed publishers such as Random House and Penguin.

Answer: False

Explanation: As of August 2010, Holtzbrinck's US Macmillan division included publishers like St. Martin's Press and Henry Holt & Company, not Random House and Penguin.

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The hatnote serves to clarify that Macmillan Inc. refers to the historical American entity, distinct from the present-day global publisher, Macmillan Publishers, its former parent.

Answer: True

Explanation: The hatnote clarifies the distinction between Macmillan Inc. (the former US company) and Macmillan Publishers (the current global entity).

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In 1999, Pearson closed Macmillan's children's reference imprints and divested the Macmillan General Reference division to IDG Books.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 1999, Pearson closed Macmillan's children's reference imprints and sold the Macmillan General Reference division (excluding *Complete Idiot's Guides*) to IDG Books.

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Macmillan Inc. and the current Macmillan Publishers have consistently operated under the same parent company throughout their histories.

Answer: False

Explanation: Macmillan Inc. and the current Macmillan Publishers originated from the same parent but became separate entities and were acquired by different companies over time.

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The 'See also' section provides navigational links to related topics, including information concerning the Brett family and the original British parent company.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'See also' section typically directs readers to related articles, such as those concerning the Brett family and the original British parent company, Macmillan Publishers.

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The 'Authority control' section offers links to cataloging databases pertinent to Macmillan Inc. and its related entities.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Authority control' section provides links to databases like VIAF and WorldCat, which catalog information about entities such as Macmillan Inc.

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In 1994, for what approximate sum were the remaining assets of Macmillan Inc. sold to Simon & Schuster/Paramount Communications?

Answer: Approximately $552.8 million

Explanation: The remaining assets of Macmillan Inc. were sold to Simon & Schuster/Paramount Communications in 1994 for approximately $552.8 million.

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Following the acquisition by Simon & Schuster, how were Macmillan's adult trade publications integrated into the new corporate structure?

Answer: They were merged into the Scribner publishing house.

Explanation: After the Simon & Schuster acquisition, Macmillan's adult trade publications were merged into Scribner.

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Identify the entity that acquired the predominant rights to the Macmillan name in America in 1998.

Answer: Pearson PLC

Explanation: Pearson PLC acquired most of the rights to the Macmillan name in America in 1998.

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What became of Macmillan's school publishing operations (including Glencoe, Barnell Loft, and Benziger) in the aftermath of Maxwell's death?

Answer: McGraw-Hill acquired full ownership of the joint venture.

Explanation: Following Maxwell's death, McGraw-Hill acquired full ownership of the Macmillan/McGraw-Hill school publishing joint venture in 1993.

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In which year did Holtzbrinck formally rebrand its American division under the Macmillan name?

Answer: 2007

Explanation: Holtzbrinck rebranded its American division under the Macmillan name in 2007, after acquiring the rights in 2001.

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As of August 2010, which of the following entities was listed as a constituent publisher within Holtzbrinck's United States Macmillan division?

Answer: St. Martin's Press

Explanation: As of August 2010, St. Martin's Press was listed as a publisher within Holtzbrinck's US Macmillan division.

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What was the disposition of Macmillan General Reference (excluding the *Complete Idiot's Guides* series) in 1999?

Answer: It was sold to IDG Books.

Explanation: In 1999, the Macmillan General Reference division (excluding *Complete Idiot's Guides*) was sold to IDG Books.

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Identify the entities that acquired Macmillan's *Collier's Encyclopedia*.

Answer: Planeta and DeAgostini

Explanation: Macmillan's *Collier's Encyclopedia* was sold to Planeta and DeAgostini.

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Pearson PLC's 1998 acquisition of Macmillan's educational and professional group resulted in its merger with which other entity to establish Pearson Education?

Answer: Addison Wesley Longman

Explanation: Pearson PLC merged the acquired Simon & Schuster educational and professional group, which included Macmillan's assets, with Addison Wesley Longman to form Pearson Education.

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