author
George Routledge
1812–1888
Best known as the founder of the publishing house that still bears his name, he helped bring affordable books to a wider Victorian readership. His career grew from bookselling 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 in the book trade as an apprentice to a Carlisle bookseller. After moving to London in the 1830s, he built his own business and gradually moved from bookselling into publishing.
He is chiefly remembered as the founder of Routledge, the firm that became George Routledge & Sons. During the 19th century, the company expanded its reach and became known for widely distributed editions that helped make books more accessible to a broad reading public.
He died in London on December 13, 1888. Although many readers know the Routledge name more readily than the man himself, his influence on British publishing was lasting, and the company he founded remained an important presence in the world of books.