A Family Business
G. P. Putman’s Sons currently exists as a division of Penguin Group (U.S.A.) Inc. Long before the company merged with Penguin, it was an independent, family-owned company. Its founder and patriarch, George Palmer Putnam (1814-1872), started off as a bookseller. In 1848, after ten years in the book retail and publishing business he parted ways with his former partner, John Wiley, and continued publishing under his own name, G.P. Putnam. In his biography of George Palmer Putnam, Ezra Greenspan refers to the publisher as an “outspoken promoter of American authorhip,”(Greenspan 2000). Quintessential American writers, like Washington Irving, were the foundation of this publishing house. The company’ success was disrupted by the American Civil War and its resulting effects on many American citizens’ finances. Though the name Putnam had become synonymous with literary quality in the publishing world, it was lacking in sales by the time of George Palmer Putnam’s sudden and unexpected death at the age of fifty-eight. He didn’t leave behind much business capitol, but his reputation served as an excellent foundation for his sons’ business endeavors.
Before the death of his father, George Haven Putnam had worked for the publishing house, which had been renamed “G.P. Putnam & Son”, for six years. Though he was a fledgling publisher with no college education, George Haven’s natural business savvy, along with his ability to not only endure but to succeed under incredible odds, which he gained during his time fighting in the war, lead to the eventual revival of the family publishing house. In 1871, George Haven’s younger brother, John Bishop came into the family business and the name was changed to “G.P. Putnam’s Sons”. Irving Putnam, another younger Putnam brother joined up with the family the next year in 1872. Throughout their careers, the three brothers divvied up the business with George H. focusing on publishing, Bishop on manufacturing, and Irving on retail.
Unlike their father, who took financial risks by publishing what he deemed to be superior literature, the brothers Putnam, “catered to middle and upper middle class” focusing on history, science and education,”. These business practices, along with the reputation earned previously by their father, led to G.P. Putnam’s Sons becoming one of the “pillars of Mainstream American Publishing,”(Greenspan, 2000).
Although the family-run tradition of the publishing house ended in the mid 1930’s, the name Putnam is associated with literary greatness this very day.
Before the death of his father, George Haven Putnam had worked for the publishing house, which had been renamed “G.P. Putnam & Son”, for six years. Though he was a fledgling publisher with no college education, George Haven’s natural business savvy, along with his ability to not only endure but to succeed under incredible odds, which he gained during his time fighting in the war, lead to the eventual revival of the family publishing house. In 1871, George Haven’s younger brother, John Bishop came into the family business and the name was changed to “G.P. Putnam’s Sons”. Irving Putnam, another younger Putnam brother joined up with the family the next year in 1872. Throughout their careers, the three brothers divvied up the business with George H. focusing on publishing, Bishop on manufacturing, and Irving on retail.
Unlike their father, who took financial risks by publishing what he deemed to be superior literature, the brothers Putnam, “catered to middle and upper middle class” focusing on history, science and education,”. These business practices, along with the reputation earned previously by their father, led to G.P. Putnam’s Sons becoming one of the “pillars of Mainstream American Publishing,”(Greenspan, 2000).
Although the family-run tradition of the publishing house ended in the mid 1930’s, the name Putnam is associated with literary greatness this very day.