American Book Company

American Book Company was an educational publisher rather than an individual author. It was formed in 1890 through the merger of four earlier publishing houses and went on to produce textbooks for elementary, secondary, and college students across a wide range of subjects.

For more than seventy years, its books were widely used by public schools and other educational institutions. The company became particularly well known for publishing the McGuffey Readers, one of the most successful schoolbook series in American history.

In the later 20th century, the company changed hands several times before being absorbed into D. C. Heath in 1981, ending its life as a separate imprint. Its long publishing record still offers a vivid window into the history of American schooling, curriculum, and classroom reading.