What is Routledge, and what is its primary focus as a publisher?

Routledge is an English multinational publisher that specializes in providing academic books, journals, and online resources. Its primary focus is on the fields of humanities, behavioral science, education, law, and social science. Academic publishing involves the dissemination of scholarly research and educational materials to a specialized audience.

Who founded Routledge and in what year?

Routledge was founded in 1836 by George Routledge. This marked the beginning of a long history in the publishing industry.

What is Routledge's current parent company?

Routledge is currently a subdivision and imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, which itself is a part of Informa plc. An imprint is a trade name used by a publisher to market books, often indicating a specific type of content or target audience.

Where is Routledge's main headquarters located?

Routledge's headquarters is located in Milton Park, Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, UK. This location serves as the central hub for its operations.

What types of publications does Routledge produce?

Routledge produces academic books and academic journals. Academic journals are peer-reviewed periodicals that publish scholarly articles, while academic books are typically longer-form works that delve deeply into specific subjects.

How many journals and new books does Routledge publish annually, and what is the approximate size of its backlist?

Routledge publishes approximately 1,800 journals and 5,000 new books each year. Its backlist, which refers to titles that are no longer new but are still in print and available for sale, encompasses over 140,000 titles.

What is Routledge's claimed position in the global academic publishing market?

Routledge is claimed to be the largest global academic publisher within the humanities and social sciences. This indicates its significant influence and market share in these specific academic disciplines.

When did Routledge become a subdivision of Taylor & Francis Group, and what was the financial value of this acquisition?

In 1998, Routledge became a subdivision and imprint of Taylor & Francis Group as a result of a 90-million-pound acquisition deal. This acquisition integrated Routledge into a larger publishing conglomerate.

Who owned Routledge immediately before its acquisition by Taylor & Francis in 1998?

Before its acquisition by Taylor & Francis in 1998, Routledge was purchased two years prior for 25 million pounds by Cinven, a venture capital group. Venture capital groups invest in companies with high growth potential, often with the aim of selling them for a profit.

How did Routledge's organizational status change after the merger of Informa and Taylor & Francis in 2004?

Following the merger of Informa and Taylor & Francis in 2004, Routledge became a publishing unit and major imprint within Informa's academic publishing division. This means it operates as a distinct brand under the larger Informa umbrella.

What was the initial publication by George Routledge in 1836?

The firm originated in 1836 when George Routledge published an unsuccessful guidebook titled *The Beauties of Gilsland*, with his brother-in-law W. H. Warne as an assistant. Guidebooks provide information for travelers, often detailing attractions and local history.

What new market did George Routledge and W. H. Warne enter in 1848, and what was their popular series called?

In 1848, George Routledge and W. H. Warne entered the booming market for selling inexpensive imprints of works of fiction to rail travelers. This initiative became known as the 'Railway Library'. This capitalized on the growing popularity of train travel and the demand for portable, affordable reading material.

When was the company George Routledge & Co. officially founded?

The company George Routledge & Co. was founded in 1851 by George Routledge, along with W. H. Warne's brother, Frederick Warne. This formal establishment marked a significant step in the company's growth.

How did the sale of *Uncle Tom's Cabin* reprints benefit Routledge in 1852?

In 1852, Routledge gained lucrative business by selling reprints of *Uncle Tom's Cabin*, which was in the public domain in the UK. This success allowed the company to pay author Edward Bulwer-Lytton a substantial sum for exclusive printing rights to his works. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and can be freely used by anyone.

What significant agreement did Routledge make with Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1852?

In 1852, Routledge paid Edward Bulwer-Lytton 20,000 pounds for a 10-year lease, granting them sole rights to print all 35 of his works, including 19 of his novels, to be sold cheaply as part of their 'Railway Library' series. This was a major investment in popular fiction for the time.

When was the company restyled as Routledge, Warne & Routledge, and who became a partner?

The company was restyled in 1858 as Routledge, Warne & Routledge when George Routledge's son, Robert Warne Routledge, entered the partnership. This indicates a generational transition in the company's leadership.

Why did Frederick Warne leave Routledge, and what company did he subsequently found?

Frederick Warne left the company after the death of his brother W. H. Warne in May 1859. Gaining rights to some titles, he founded Frederick Warne & Co. in 1865, which later became known for its Beatrix Potter books. This demonstrates a common practice in early publishing where partners might split off to form their own ventures.

When did George Routledge's son, Edmund Routledge, become a partner, and what was the firm's new name?

In July 1865, George Routledge's son, Edmund Routledge, became a partner, and the firm was renamed George Routledge & Sons. This further solidified the family's involvement in the business.

What was the financial state of Routledge by 1899, and how was it resolved?

By 1899, the company was running close to bankruptcy. It was able to recover following a successful restructuring in 1902, led by figures such as scientist Sir William Crookes, banker Arthur Ellis Franklin, and William Swan Sonnenschein as managing director. Bankruptcy is a legal process for individuals or businesses unable to repay their outstanding debts.

Which publishing companies did Routledge acquire or take over in the early 20th century?

In the early 20th century, Routledge acquired and merged with J. C. Nimmo Ltd. in 1903. In 1912, it took over the management of Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., which was a descendant of companies founded by Charles Kegan Paul, Alexander Chenevix Trench, Nicholas Trübner, and George Redway.

How did the early 20th-century acquisitions impact Routledge's publishing focus?

These early 20th-century acquisitions brought notable scholarly titles, leading the company to become increasingly concentrated in the academic and scholarly publishing business from 1912 onward, under the imprint 'Kegan Paul Trench Trubner'. Their focus also included reference, fiction, and mysticism.

When did George Routledge and Sons merge with Kegan Paul Trench Trubner, and what was the resulting company name?

In 1947, George Routledge and Sons finally merged with Kegan Paul Trench Trubner (which had dropped the umlaut during the First World War) under the name of Routledge & Kegan Paul. A merger is a combination of two companies into one new company.

Who were the key advisers for Routledge & Kegan Paul, and what fields did the company become known for?

Using C. K. Ogden and later Karl Mannheim as advisers, Routledge & Kegan Paul soon became particularly known for its titles in philosophy, psychology, and the social sciences. Advisers provide expert guidance and recommendations.

What corporate changes occurred for Routledge & Kegan Paul in 1985 and 1987?

In 1985, Routledge & Kegan Paul joined with Associated Book Publishers (ABP). Subsequently, ABP was acquired by International Thomson in 1987. This shows a period of consolidation within the publishing industry.

Which backlists were added to Routledge under International Thomson's ownership?

Under International Thomson's ownership, Routledge's name and operations were retained, with the additions of backlists from Methuen, Tavistock Publications, Croom Helm, and Unwin Hyman. A backlist refers to a publisher's older, still-available titles.

How did Routledge become an independent company again in 1996?

In 1996, Routledge began operating as an independent company once again through a management buyout financed by the European private equity firm Cinven. A management buyout is a transaction where a company's management team purchases the assets and operations of the business they manage.

What acquisitions did Cinven make in 1997 that were related to Routledge?

In 1997, Cinven acquired journals publisher Carfax and book publisher Spon. These acquisitions expanded the portfolio of companies under Cinven's ownership, which included Routledge at the time.

How has Routledge continued to grow since becoming part of Informa's academic publishing division?

Routledge has grown considerably as a result of organic growth and acquisitions of other publishing companies and other publishers' titles by its parent company. Organic growth refers to growth achieved through increasing output and sales, rather than through mergers or acquisitions.

What happens to humanities and social sciences titles acquired by Taylor & Francis from other publishers?

Humanities and social sciences titles acquired by Taylor & Francis from other publishers are rebranded under the Routledge imprint. Rebranding involves changing the corporate image or name of a product or company.

What is Routledge's stance on sustainable publishing?

Routledge is a signatory of the SDG Publishers Compact, indicating its commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They have also achieved CarbonNeutral publication certification for their print books and journals, demonstrating efforts to reduce their environmental impact. The SDGs are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

Who are some notable individuals who served as editors or directors at Routledge?

Notable individuals who worked at Routledge include Fredric Warburg, who was a commissioning editor during the early 20th century, novelist Nina Stibbe, who was a commissioning editor in the 1990s, and cultural studies editor William Germano, who served as vice-president and publishing director for two decades. Commissioning editors are responsible for acquiring new books and authors for a publishing house.

Can you name some of the prominent authors whose works have been published by Routledge?

Routledge has published works from a wide array of prominent authors, including Theodor W. Adorno, David Bohm, Judith Butler, Jacques Derrida, Albert Einstein, Michel Foucault, Sigmund Freud, Al Gore, Friedrich Hayek, Hans-Hermann Hoppe, Carl Jung, Claude Levi-Strauss, Marshall McLuhan, Bronisław Malinowski, Herbert Marcuse, Karl Popper, Johan Rockström, Bertrand Russell, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Ludwig Wittgenstein. These authors represent diverse fields such as philosophy, science, and social theory.

What criticism has Routledge received regarding its pricing structure?

Routledge has been criticized for a pricing structure that 'will limit readership to the privileged few,' especially when compared to open access options offered by platforms like DOAJ, Unpaywall, and DOAB. Open access publishing makes research freely available online, removing price barriers for readers.

When did Taylor and Francis discontinue the Routledge print encyclopaedia division?

Taylor and Francis closed down the Routledge print encyclopaedia division in 2006. This decision likely reflected a shift towards digital formats for large reference works.

What were some of the notable print encyclopedias published by Routledge before 2006?

Before 2006, some notable print encyclopedias published by Routledge included the *Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy* by Edward Craig (1998), which was in 10 volumes but is now online, and the *Encyclopedia of Ethics* by Lawrence C. Becker and Charlotte B. Becker (2002), published in three volumes.

Which reference works from Europa Publications are published by Routledge?

Reference works by Europa Publications that are published by Routledge include the *Europa World Year Book*, *International Who's Who*, and *Europa World of Learning*. These are comprehensive reference sources providing information on global affairs, notable individuals, and educational institutions.

How are many of Routledge's reference works made available in print and electronic formats?

Many of Routledge's reference works are published in both print and electronic formats as Routledge Handbooks and have their own dedicated website, Routledge Handbooks Online. This dual format allows for both traditional and digital access to scholarly content.

What are some examples of online encyclopedias and digital content collections published by Routledge?

Routledge publishes several online encyclopedias and collections of digital content, such as the *Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy*, *Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism*, Routledge Performance Archive, and South Asia Archive. These digital resources provide extensive scholarly material online.

Describe the *Routledge Worlds* series.

The *Routledge Worlds* series consisted of 66 books as of July 2023. The publisher describes these books as 'magisterial surveys of key historical epochs,' with examples including *The Sikh World*, *The Pentecostal World*, *The Quaker World*, *The Ancient Israelite World*, and *The Sámi World*. This series offers in-depth explorations of specific cultural, religious, or historical contexts.

Can you list some of the notable book series published by Routledge?

Routledge has published several notable book series, including *The Broadway Travellers* (1926–37), *Colloquial Series of Multimedia Language Courses*, *Essential Grammars* (since 1999), *Morley's Universal Library* (1883–88), *The Muses' Library* (1904–1940; 1950–1980), *The Republic of Letters*, and *Routledge's Railway Library* (1848–99).

What was the *Routledge's Railway Library* series, and how were its books distributed?

*Routledge's Railway Library* was a series of inexpensive fiction works published between 1848 and 1899. These books were primarily sold through W. H. Smith's bookstalls located on railway platforms, making them easily accessible to train travelers. Over 50 years, 1,277 books were published in this series, mostly as pictorial hardbacks, with some bestsellers re-released as cheaper paperbacks.

Who were some of the authors featured in *Routledge's Railway Library*?

Authors whose works were included in *Routledge's Railway Library* included Edward Bulwer Lytton, James Fenimore Cooper, Jane Austen, Benjamin Disraeli, Henry Fielding, Frances Trollope, William Harrison Ainsworth, Alexandre Dumas, and Victor Hugo. This collection featured a mix of popular and classic authors of the time.

What is the history of *The Muses' Library* series?

*The Muses' Library* was established in 1891 by Lawrence & Bullen as a series of fine editions of poetry. After Lawrence & Bullen ceased operations in 1900, Routledge revived the series in 1904 with reprints and new titles, continuing its publication from 1904–1940 and again from 1950–1980. Parallel editions were also published in the US by Charles Scribner's Sons, E.P. Dutton, and Harvard University Press. This series aimed to provide high-quality editions of poetic works.

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Overview

A Global Academic Publisher

Routledge is an English multinational publisher founded in 1836 by George Routledge. It has become a cornerstone of academic publishing, specializing in books, journals, and online resources across the humanities, behavioural science, education, law, and social sciences. It operates as a major imprint and subdivision of the Taylor & Francis Group.

Scale and Scope

Claimed to be the largest global academic publisher in its core fields, Routledge's output is immense. The company publishes approximately 1,800 journals and 5,000 new books each year. Its extensive backlist comprises over 140,000 titles, representing a vast repository of scholarly knowledge built over nearly two centuries.

Corporate Structure

Since 2004, Routledge has been a key publishing unit within the academic division of Informa plc, following the merger of Taylor & Francis with Informa. While headquartered in Milton Park, Oxfordshire, UK, Routledge maintains a global presence with offices in major international hubs, including Philadelphia, Melbourne, New Delhi, Singapore, and Beijing.

A History of Publishing

Humble Beginnings & The Railway Library

The firm's origins trace back to 1836 when London bookseller George Routledge, with his brother-in-law W. H. Warne, published an unsuccessful guidebook. Undeterred, they pivoted in 1848 to a booming market: selling inexpensive fiction reprints to rail travelers. This "Railway Library" series was a massive success, capitalizing on the growth of train travel and popular literacy.

Growth Through Partnership

The success of the Railway Library led to the formal establishment of George Routledge & Co. in 1851. A pivotal moment came in 1852 with the reprint of Uncle Tom's Cabin, which provided the capital to secure exclusive rights to print 35 works by author Edward Bulwer-Lytton. The company evolved through partnerships, becoming Routledge, Warne & Routledge in 1858 and later George Routledge & Sons in 1865.

The Shift to Scholarly Publishing

Facing near bankruptcy by 1899, the company underwent a successful restructuring. In the early 20th century, it began acquiring other publishers, most notably taking over the management of Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. in 1912. This acquisition brought a prestigious list of scholarly titles, steering the company toward its modern focus on academic works in philosophy, psychology, and the social sciences.

A Century of Mergers & Acquisitions

The 20th century was marked by significant corporate changes that shaped the modern Routledge.

1947: George Routledge & Sons formally merges with its scholarly acquisition to become Routledge & Kegan Paul.
1985: The company joins Associated Book Publishers (ABP).
1987: ABP is acquired by International Thomson, which retains the Routledge name and adds other publishing backlists to its portfolio.
1996: A management buyout financed by the private equity firm Cinven allows Routledge to operate as an independent company once again.
1998: In a landmark deal, Routledge is acquired by its former rival, Taylor & Francis Group (T&F), for £90 million. The Routledge name is preserved as a major imprint.
2004: Taylor & Francis merges with Informa plc, making Routledge a primary publishing unit within Informa's academic division, where it remains today.

Intellectual Legacy

Influential Figures

Throughout its history, Routledge has been shaped by notable figures in the publishing world. English publisher Fredric Warburg served as a commissioning editor in the early 20th century. In the 1990s, novelist Nina Stibbe (author of Love, Nina) worked as a commissioning editor. More recently, William Germano was a key figure in the rise of cultural studies during his two decades as vice-president and publishing director.

A Roster of Seminal Authors

Routledge's reputation is built upon its publication of many of the most influential thinkers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Its catalog includes foundational works from:

Philosophers: Theodor W. Adorno, Judith Butler, Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, Karl Popper, Bertrand Russell, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Scientists & Social Scientists: David Bohm, Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Claude Lévi-Strauss, Bronisław Malinowski.
Economists & Political Figures: Friedrich Hayek, Al Gore.

Many of these works are now available through its Routledge Classics and Routledge Great Minds series.

Key Publications & Series

Digital and Reference Works

While its print encyclopaedia division closed in 2006, Routledge has transitioned its major reference works to robust online platforms. These digital resources are central to modern academic research. Key examples include:

Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism
Routledge Handbooks Online
Europa World Year Book
Routledge Performance Archive

Notable Book Series

Routledge has produced numerous influential book series over its long history, each with a distinct focus and audience.

Routledge's Railway Library (1848–99): The series that built the company, selling 1,277 titles of popular fiction through W. H. Smith's railway bookstalls.
The Muses' Library (est. 1891): A series of fine editions of poetry, originally started by another publisher and revived by Routledge in 1904.
The Broadway Travellers (1926–37): A collection of travel narratives and historical accounts.
Colloquial Series: A popular and long-running series of multimedia language courses for self-study.
Essential Grammars (since 1999): A series providing clear and accessible grammar guides for a wide range of languages.

Sustainability and Access

As a signatory of the SDG Publishers Compact, Routledge has committed to supporting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. This includes achieving CarbonNeutral certification for its print books and journals. However, the publisher has also faced criticism for a pricing structure that some argue limits readership, in contrast to the growing movement for open access publishing models.

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References

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Routledge: Charting the Course of Academic Inquiry

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Overview 🏛️

🌍 A Global Academic Publisher

📈 Scale and Scope

🏢 Corporate Structure

A History of Publishing 📜

🚂 Humble Beginnings & The Railway Library

🤝 Growth Through Partnership

📚 The Shift to Scholarly Publishing

🔄 A Century of Mergers & Acquisitions

Intellectual Legacy ✍️

👤 Influential Figures

🧠 A Roster of Seminal Authors

Key Publications & Series 📖

🌐 Digital and Reference Works

📚 Notable Book Series

♻️ Sustainability and Access

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Overview

A Global Academic Publisher

Scale and Scope

Corporate Structure

A History of Publishing

Humble Beginnings & The Railway Library

Growth Through Partnership

The Shift to Scholarly Publishing

A Century of Mergers & Acquisitions

Intellectual Legacy

Influential Figures

A Roster of Seminal Authors

Key Publications & Series

Digital and Reference Works

Notable Book Series

Sustainability and Access

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice