A Publisher and His Friends : Memoir and Correspondence of John Murray; with an Account of the Origin and Progress of the House, 1768-1843

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904

Contributor:

Murray, John, 1778-1843

Mackay, Thomas, 1849-1912

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"A Publisher and His Friends" by Samuel Smiles is a memoir and correspondence detailing the career of John Murray, a significant figure in the publishing industry during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Written in the early 20th century, the book provides a detailed account of Murray's rise from modest beginnings as he founded and developed his publishing business, which would go on to become highly influential in the literary world, notably in connection with famous authors and literary figures of the time. The opening of the memoir sets the stage by describing John Murray's background, starting with the initial establishment of his publishing house in 1768 after acquiring the business of William Sandby in Fleet Street. It highlights his early struggles, including financial hardships and the need for capital, alongside his interactions with notable contemporaries such as poets and fellow publishers. The letters exchanged with friends and colleagues reveal Murray's ambitions, challenges, and the formative connections he forged, leading to significant contributions to literary history, including the nurturing of authors and the development of influential periodicals like the "Edinburgh Review" and the "Quarterly Review". (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Eric Hutton, Juliet Sutherland, Wilelmina Malliere and PG Distributed Proofreaders

Notes:

Reading ease score: 68.3 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 2004-01-01