What was Macmillan Inc. and how did it originate?

Macmillan Inc. was an American book publishing company, also known as Macmillan US and formerly The Macmillan Company. It was originally established as the American division of the British Macmillan Publishers, though the two entities later became separate and were acquired by different companies.

When was the first Macmillan office established in the United States, and by whom?

The first Macmillan office in the United States was opened in August 1869 by George Edward Brett.

How did the Brett family become owners of Macmillan's U.S. operations?

In 1896, Macmillan sold its U.S. operations to George Platt Brett Sr. and George Platt Brett Jr., who were George Edward Brett's sons. This transaction resulted in the creation of an independent American company, Macmillan US, although Macmillan Publishers retained a stake until 1951.

What was the business relationship between George Brett Jr. and Harold Macmillan?

Despite the separation of the American company from its British parent, George Brett Jr. and Harold Macmillan maintained a close personal friendship throughout their association.

What significant comment did George P. Brett Jr. make about his family's connection to Macmillan in the United States?

In a letter dated January 23, 1947, George P. Brett Jr. stated that the names Brett and Macmillan had been and continued to be synonymous in the United States, highlighting his family's long-standing dedication to the American publishing industry.

Which notable American authors were published by Macmillan under the Brett family's leadership?

Under the Brett family's leadership, Macmillan published prominent American authors including Winston Churchill, Margaret Mitchell (author of Gone with the Wind), and Jack London (author of White Fang and Call of the Wild).

For how long did the Brett family control Macmillan's American offices?

The Brett family maintained control over the American offices of Macmillan for an extended period, from its establishment in 1869 until the early 1960s. This duration is noted as being matched by few other families in the history of United States business.

What action did Macmillan Publishers take in 1951 regarding its stake in Macmillan US?

In 1951, Macmillan Publishers sold its ownership stake in Macmillan US. The British parent company later re-entered the American publishing market by founding St. Martin's Press in 1952.

What controversy arose in 1950 concerning Macmillan US's publication of Imanuel Velikovsky's book?

Macmillan US published Imanuel Velikovsky's book *Worlds in Collision* in 1950, despite strong objections from leading astronomers. When a boycott threatened the company, Macmillan US transferred the book to Doubleday.

When did Macmillan US merge with Crowell Collier Publishing Company, and what was the subsequent name change?

Macmillan US merged with Crowell Collier Publishing Company in 1961. Following this merger, the company became a media giant and renamed itself Macmillan Inc. in 1973.

Who acquired a significant stake in Macmillan Inc. in 1979, and what was the company's response?

In 1979, Thomas Mellon Evans purchased a large stake in Macmillan Inc. Subsequently, the company faced acquisition bids from Mattel and the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), though the ABC acquisition ultimately broke down.

Which non-publishing divisions did Macmillan Inc. sell in the early 1980s?

In the early 1980s, Macmillan Inc. divested several non-publishing divisions. These included the musical instrument maker C.G. Conn in 1980, and in 1981, the Hagstrom Map company, the Brentano's bookstore chain, and the printer Alco-Gravure.

What key acquisitions did Macmillan Inc. make in the mid-1980s?

Macmillan Inc. made several significant acquisitions in the mid-1980s. These included Bradbury Press in 1981, the Scribner Book Companies along with textbook publishers Sieber & McIntyre, Dellen Publishing, and Pennwell Books in 1984, and the publishing operations of ITT (including Sams Publishing, Bobbs-Merrill, Michie Co., Intertec, Marquis Who's Who, and G. K. Hall & Co.) in 1985.

Which British tycoon acquired Macmillan Inc. in 1989, and what was his company?

In 1989, Macmillan Inc. was acquired by the controversial British tycoon Robert Maxwell's company, Maxwell Communication Corporation.

What significant transactions occurred involving Macmillan Inc. and K-III Communications in 1989?

In 1989, Macmillan Inc. acquired Prentice Hall Information from Simon & Schuster. Concurrently, it sold Intertec, Macmillan Book Clubs, and Gryphon Editions to K-III Communications (which later became Rent Group).

What happened to Macmillan's directories and legal publishing divisions after the Maxwell acquisition?

Following the acquisition by Maxwell Communication Corporation, Macmillan's directories, including Marquis Who's Who and National Register Publishing, were sold to Reed Publishing. The legal publisher Michie Co. was sold to Mead.

What non-publishing businesses did Macmillan Inc. sell in the late 1980s or early 1990s?

In addition to publishing assets, Macmillan Inc. also sold non-publishing businesses such as the department store Gump's, the trade school Katharine Gibbs, and a portion of its stake in the language school Berlitz.

What led to Macmillan filing for bankruptcy, and what happened to its computer publishing division?

Following Robert Maxwell's death in 1991, Macmillan began selling off properties and eventually filed for bankruptcy. During this period, Paramount acquired Macmillan Computer Publishing.

Which entities acquired Macmillan's *Collier's Encyclopedia* and its Standard Rate & Data Service?

*Collier's Encyclopedia* was sold to Planeta and DeAgostini, while the Standard Rate & Data Service was sold to OAG, another company within the Maxwell group.

When was Macmillan Inc. finally sold to Simon & Schuster/Paramount Communications, and for how much?

The remaining assets of Macmillan Inc. were sold to Simon & Schuster/Paramount Communications for $552.8 million. This acquisition was finalized in February 1994.

How were Macmillan's adult trade publications and reference divisions integrated after the Simon & Schuster acquisition?

After being acquired by Simon & Schuster, Macmillan's adult trade publications (Macmillan and Atheneum) were merged into Scribner. The reference division became known as Macmillan Publishing USA, which was a legal name for the Simon & Schuster reference division.

Who acquired the Macmillan name rights in America in 1998, and what happened to the educational and professional divisions?

Pearson PLC acquired most of the rights to the Macmillan name in America in 1998, following its purchase of the Simon & Schuster educational and professional group. Pearson then merged these acquired divisions with Addison Wesley Longman to form Pearson Education.

What happened to Macmillan's school publishing operations, and who eventually gained full ownership?

Macmillan's school publishing operations, including Glencoe, Barnell Loft, and Benziger, were merged into a joint venture with McGraw-Hill in 1989. After Maxwell's death, McGraw-Hill acquired full ownership of this joint venture, known as Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, in 1993.

How did the German publisher Holtzbrinck become associated with the Macmillan name in the United States?

Holtzbrinck, which had purchased the British Macmillan in 1999, acquired most of the rights to the Macmillan name in the United States from Pearson in 2001. They then rebranded their American division with the Macmillan name in 2007.

What were some of the constituent American publishers under Holtzbrinck's Macmillan division as of August 2010?

As of August 2010, Holtzbrinck's Macmillan division in the U.S. included publishers such as Farrar Straus and Giroux, Henry Holt & Company, W.H. Freeman and Worth Publishers, Palgrave Macmillan, Bedford/St. Martin's, Picador, Roaring Brook Press, St. Martin's Press, and Tor Books.

What is the significance of the hatnote at the beginning of the article regarding Macmillan Inc.?

The hatnote clarifies that Macmillan Inc. refers specifically to the former American publishing company and distinguishes it from the current global publisher, Macmillan Publishers, which is its former parent company.

What was the fate of Macmillan's children's reference imprints and Macmillan General Reference in 1999?

In 1999, Pearson closed the children's reference imprints of Macmillan Library Reference. Pearson also sold the Macmillan General Reference division (excluding Complete Idiot's Guides) to IDG Books, while Macmillan Reference USA was sold to Thomson Gale.

What is the relationship between Macmillan Inc. and the current Macmillan Publishers?

Macmillan Inc. was originally the American division of Macmillan Publishers. While they were separated and acquired by different entities over time, the German publisher Holtzbrinck eventually acquired the rights to use the Macmillan name in the United States, rebranding its own American division with it.

What is the stated purpose of the 'See also' section in the article?

The 'See also' section provides links to related articles, such as other individuals named Brett associated with the company (Richard M. Brett), the original parent company (Macmillan Publishers), and other related entities.

What information is provided in the 'Authority control' section at the end of the article?

The 'Authority control' section provides links to various international and national databases, such as VIAF, WorldCat, Library of Congress, and others, which catalog information about Macmillan Inc. and its related entities.

Macmillan Inc. Wiki: Macmillan Inc.: A Chronicle of American Publishing Excellence and Corporate Evolution

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The Macmillan Inc. Story

A Publishing Powerhouse

Macmillan Inc. was a prominent American book publishing company, originally established as the U.S. division of the British Macmillan Publishers. Over its existence, it evolved significantly, becoming a major force in American literature and education before its eventual dissolution into various successor entities.

American Roots

While initially a division of its British counterpart, Macmillan Inc. developed a distinct identity and operational structure in the United States. The Brett family played a pivotal role in its growth and management for nearly a century, shaping its trajectory and contributing significantly to the American publishing landscape.

Diverse Portfolio

Throughout its history, Macmillan Inc. published a wide array of works, from seminal literary pieces by renowned authors to essential academic textbooks and reference materials. Its influence extended across various genres and educational levels, marking it as a versatile and impactful publisher.

Company History

Genesis and the Brett Dynasty

The American chapter of Macmillan began in August 1869 when George Edward Brett opened the first U.S. office. By 1896, the U.S. operations were sold to the Brett family, establishing Macmillan US as a distinct entity, though Macmillan Publishers retained a stake until 1951. This marked the beginning of a remarkable period of family stewardship.

George Platt Brett Sr. and later his son, George Platt Brett Jr., led the company, building it into a significant business. In a letter dated January 23, 1947, George Brett Jr. reflected on this legacy:

"For the record my grandfather was employed by Macmillan's of England as a salesman. He came to the United States with his family in the service of Macmillan's of England and built up a business of approximately $50,000 before he died. He was succeeded . . . by my father, who eventually incorporated The Macmillan Company of New York and built up business of about $9,000,000. I succeeded my father, and we currently doing a business of approximately $12,000,000. So then, the name of Brett and the name of Macmillan have been and are synonymous in the United States."

This deep connection between the Brett family and Macmillan US lasted for nearly a century, a testament to their dedication to the American publishing industry.

The Brett Family's Influence

A Century of Leadership

The Brett family's stewardship of Macmillan US was exceptionally long and influential, spanning from the company's inception in 1869 until the early 1960s. This sustained leadership is a rare feat in American business history.

George Edward Brett

Opened the first Macmillan office in the United States in 1869.

George Platt Brett Sr.

Succeeded his father, incorporating The Macmillan Company of New York and significantly expanding its business.

George Platt Brett Jr.

Led the company after his father, overseeing further growth and maintaining close ties with the British parent company's leadership.

Richard M. Brett

Another figure associated with the family's involvement in publishing.

Authors and Literary Impact

Celebrated Voices

Under the guidance of the Brett family, Macmillan US became the publisher for several iconic American authors, cementing its place in literary history.

Winston Churchill

Macmillan published works by the renowned American author (not to be confused with the British Prime Minister).

Margaret Mitchell

The epic novel Gone with the Wind, a cultural phenomenon, was published by Macmillan.

Jack London

Classic tales of adventure and nature such as White Fang and The Call of the Wild found their publisher in Macmillan.

Significant Publications

Worlds in Collision

In 1950, despite strong opposition from the scientific community, Macmillan US published Immanuel Velikovsky's controversial book, Worlds in Collision. The ensuing debate and threatened boycott led Macmillan to transfer the title to Doubleday, highlighting a significant moment of intellectual contention in the company's history.

Corporate Evolution: Mergers & Acquisitions

A Complex History

Macmillan Inc.'s journey involved numerous strategic shifts, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, reflecting the dynamic nature of the publishing industry. This section outlines the key transformations that shaped the company's structure and eventual fate.

1961: Merger with Crowell Collier

Macmillan US merged with Crowell Collier Publishing Company, leading to the formation of a larger media entity. The company was renamed Macmillan Inc. in 1973.

1979-1980s: Divestitures and Acquisitions

Under Thomas Mellon Evans's influence, Macmillan Inc. began divesting non-publishing divisions (e.g., C.G. Conn, Hagstrom Map, Brentano's). Simultaneously, it acquired other publishing operations:

1981: Acquired Bradbury Press.
1984: Acquired Charles Scribner's Sons and other textbook publishers.
1985: Acquired publishing operations of ITT (Sams, Bobbs-Merrill, Michie Co., Intertec, Marquis Who's Who, G. K. Hall & Co.). Bobbs-Merrill was later closed.
1987: Acquired Laidlaw (educational publisher).
1988: Acquired Jossey-Bass (educational publisher).

1989: Acquisition by Robert Maxwell

Macmillan Inc. was acquired by Robert Maxwell's Maxwell Communication Corporation. This period saw further strategic moves:

Acquired Prentice Hall Information from Simon & Schuster.
Sold various divisions: Intertec, Macmillan Book Clubs, Gryphon Editions to K-III Communications; Maxwell Macmillan Professional and Business Reference Publishing to Thomson Professional Publishing; directories (Marquis Who's Who) to Reed Publishing; Michie to Mead.
Sold Gump's, Katharine Gibbs, and part of Berlitz.

1990s: Post-Maxwell Era and Dissolution

Following Robert Maxwell's death in 1991, Macmillan began selling assets and filed for bankruptcy. Key events included:

Paramount acquired Macmillan Computer Publishing.
Collier's Encyclopedia sold to Planeta and DeAgostini.
Remaining assets acquired by Simon & Schuster / Paramount Communications (finalized Feb 1994).
Macmillan and Atheneum adult trade publications merged into Scribner.
Macmillan Publishing USA became Simon & Schuster's reference division.
Pearson acquired the Macmillan name in America in 1998 after purchasing the Simon & Schuster educational and professional group.
Pearson merged divisions into Pearson Education.
Pearson sold Macmillan Reference USA (including Scribner Reference, G. K. Hall) to Thomson Gale and Macmillan General Reference to IDG Books in 1999.

Educational Publishing Split

Macmillan's school publishing operations (Glencoe, Barnell Loft, Benziger) merged into a joint venture with McGraw-Hill in 1989. McGraw-Hill gained full ownership in 1993.

Enduring Legacy & Successors

The Macmillan Name Today

While Macmillan Inc. as an independent entity ceased to exist, its constituent parts and the Macmillan name have continued under different ownerships, leaving a lasting imprint on the publishing world.

Holtzbrinck Publishing Group

In 2001, Holtzbrinck acquired most rights to the Macmillan name in the U.S. and rebranded its American division as Macmillan in 2007. This division includes imprints such as Farrar, Straus and Giroux; Henry Holt & Company; Palgrave Macmillan; Bedford/St. Martin's; Picador; St. Martin's Press; and Tor Books.

Simon & Schuster

Acquired several trade imprints, including Scribner, Free Press, and Atheneum Books, which were merged into Scribner.

Gale (Cengage Group)

Macmillan Reference USA, including Scribner Reference and G. K. Hall, was sold to Thomson Gale (now Gale, part of Cengage Group).

McGraw Hill Education

Macmillan's school publishing operations merged with McGraw-Hill, forming Macmillan/McGraw-Hill textbooks.

Archival & Bibliographic Identifiers

Cataloging and Authority

To aid in research and cataloging, Macmillan Inc. is identified by various international and national authority control databases. These identifiers help scholars and librarians track and verify information related to the company's historical records and publications.

Authority Control Databases
International	VIAF (140726562) VIAF (2) WorldCat
National	United States (Library of Congress) Israel (National Library)
Academics	CiNii
Other	SNAC Yale LUX

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References

Michael D. Gordin, How Lysenkoism became Pseudoscience, Journal of the History of Biology (2012) 45:443-468

A full list of references for this article are available at the Macmillan Inc. Wikipedia page

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Macmillan Inc.

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

The Macmillan Inc. Story ℹ️

🏢 A Publishing Powerhouse

🇺🇸 American Roots

📚 Diverse Portfolio

Company History ⏳

📜 Genesis and the Brett Dynasty

The Brett Family's Influence 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

👑 A Century of Leadership

George Edward Brett

George Platt Brett Sr.

George Platt Brett Jr.

Richard M. Brett

Authors and Literary Impact ✍️

🌟 Celebrated Voices

Winston Churchill

Margaret Mitchell

Jack London

Significant Publications 📖

💥 Worlds in Collision

Corporate Evolution: Mergers & Acquisitions 🔄

🧩 A Complex History

1961: Merger with Crowell Collier

1979-1980s: Divestitures and Acquisitions

1989: Acquisition by Robert Maxwell

1990s: Post-Maxwell Era and Dissolution

Educational Publishing Split

Enduring Legacy & Successors ✨

🏛️ The Macmillan Name Today

Holtzbrinck Publishing Group

Simon & Schuster

Gale (Cengage Group)

McGraw Hill Education

Archival & Bibliographic Identifiers 🔗

🗂️ Cataloging and Authority

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The Macmillan Inc. Story

A Publishing Powerhouse

American Roots

Diverse Portfolio

Company History

Genesis and the Brett Dynasty

The Brett Family's Influence

A Century of Leadership

Authors and Literary Impact

Celebrated Voices

Significant Publications

Worlds in Collision

Corporate Evolution: Mergers & Acquisitions

A Complex History

Enduring Legacy & Successors

The Macmillan Name Today

Archival & Bibliographic Identifiers

Cataloging and Authority

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice