Annals of a Publishing House: Volume 3, John Blackwood

The history of the one of the most important Scottish publishers, whose books and periodicals dominated the Victorian literary scene.

Mary Blackwood Porter (Author)

9781108021418, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 4 November 2010

460 pages, 3 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.6 cm, 0.58 kg

Annals of a Publishing House contains the early history of the influential Scottish publishing house, William Blackwood and Sons. From small beginnings, the firm had rapidly become the leading Scottish publishing house, dominating the literary world, particularly through Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine. Owing to the death of Mrs Oliphant, the commissioned author, Volume 3 was written by Mary Porter, daughter of John Blackwood, sixth son of the founder, and covers his career. Beginning as head of the new London branch, he assumed control of the firm on the death of his uncle Robert in 1852. He reorganised the firm and added its prominence. He formed working relationships with many of the leading Victorian writers, including Elizabeth Barrett Browning, George Eliot, Edward Bulwer Lytton and Thomas Hardy. He expanded the firm's output to include travel writers such as Burton on India and Speke on the search for the source of the Nile.

1. Early life of John Blackwood
2. George Eliot's early novels
3. Edinburgh and London
4. A. W. Kinglake and The Invasion of the Crimea
5. Laurence Oliphant
6. The editorial sanctum
7. Strathtyrum
8. Charles Lever
9. 'The military staff of Blackwood'
10. The editor abroad
11. Mrs Oliphant and new recruits
12. George Eliot's later works
13. Last years
Index.

Subject Areas: Publishing industry & book trade [KNTP]