author
George Routledge
1812–1888
Best known for founding the publishing house that still bears his name, he helped bring affordable books to a wide Victorian readership. His career grew from a bookseller’s apprenticeship into one of the most recognizable publishing ventures of 19th-century Britain.
1 Audiobook
Routledge's Manual of Etiquette
by George Routledge
About the author
Born in Brampton, Cumberland, on September 23, 1812, he began his working life as an apprentice to a bookseller in Carlisle before moving to London in 1833. There he started out in the book trade for himself and steadily built the experience that would shape his future in publishing.
He is remembered as the founder of Routledge, established in 1836 and later developed into the firm known as George Routledge & Sons. His success was closely tied to publishing inexpensive editions that made popular literature more widely available, helping the business grow into a major Victorian publishing house.
George Routledge died in London on December 13, 1888. Though many details of his day-to-day life are less widely recorded, his place in publishing history is clear: he helped build a company name that remained influential long after his lifetime.