Childs, George W. (George William), 1829–1894

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1829-05-12
Death 1894-02-03
Americans

Biographical notes:

George W. Childs (1829-1894) was the founder and editor of the Philadelphia Public Ledger, a noted philanthropist, and a longtime friend of Anthony J. Drexel. Born in Baltimore, he moved to Philadelphia to work for a bookseller at age fourteen and soon went into business for himself at the age of eighteen. In 1849, he became a partner in the publishing firm of R. E. Petersen & Company, and in 1860 he formed a partnership with the influential publisher J. P. Lippincott. In 1864, he purchased the Philadelphia Public Ledger, in which Anthony J. Drexel would become a silent business partner. Childs was influential in encouraging Drexel to establish a school for the education of men and women, and he served on the institute's board of trustees from the school's founding until his death. After his death, ownership of the Ledger and of Childs's property passed to Drexel's son, George W. Childs Drexel.

From the description of George W. Childs collection, 1845, 1890-1894, 1958, 1967, bulk 1891-1894. (Drexel University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 62213145

Philadelphia publisher and philanthropist; owner of the Philadelphia Public Ledger.

From the description of Mementoes of Dean Stanley : scrapbook, 1877-1881. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 155862676

American author and publisher.

From the description of George William Childs papers [manuscript], 1882-1892. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647871090

George William Childs was born in Baltimore; after a brief stint in the navy, he moved to Philadelphia at the age of fourteen, having no money, no family, and no job. Intelligent and hard working, with a good business sense, he found success, opening his own business at the age of eighteen. He then joined the publishing firm of R.E. Peterson, later becoming a partner; in 1864, he bought the Philadelphia Public Ledger, and under his guidance the newspaper became a profitable and prestigious venture, partially due to Childs' fair and progressive labor policies. Childs was also a philanthropist and collector.

From the description of George William Childs letters, 1857-1890. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 62215302

George William Childs (1829-1894), publisher and philanthropist. Began career when he opened a Philadelphia bookstore in 1847, he soon expanded into publishing. He is best known for establishing the newspaper, The Philadelphia Public Ledger. as a popular publication.

Benson John Lossing (1818-1891), historian, editor, and author. Born Beekman, N.Y., died Dover Plains, N.Y.

James Ripley Osgood (1836-1892), publisher in Boston and England.

Samuel Sydney McClure,1857-1949. Editor, publisher, founder McClure's Magazine.

From the description of Letters to Benson J. Lossing, "My dear friend Osgood," and S.S. McClure, 1864 December 22, 1878 December 31, 1890 June 2. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 60494257

George William Childs (1829-1894) was an American editor and publisher. His letters mainly include correspondence with Benson John Lossing (1813-1891), an American author remembered for his illustrated works.

Born in Maryland on May 12, 1829, Childs is known as both a publisher and philanthropist. Childs was an American editor and publisher, who founded the Philadelphia Public Ledger . He was married to Emma Bouvier Peterson. Childs died of a stroke on February 3, 1894.

The George W. Childs Letters primarily concern the work of historian Benson John Lossing. Lossing was born February 12, 1813 in Beekman, New York to John and Miriam Dorland Lossing. He is best known for his illustrated works of American history, such as his Pictorial Field Books of the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. He died on June 3, 1891 of a heart attack.

From the guide to the George W. Childs Letters, 1862-1892, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

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Subjects:

  • Publishers and publishing
  • Publishers and publishing
  • Authors and readers
  • Businessmen
  • Generals
  • Graphotyping
  • Indians, Treatment of
  • Manuscripts, American
  • Meteorology
  • Newspaper editors
  • Patronage, Political
  • Publishing, printing and book arts
  • Publishers and publishing

Occupations:

  • Collector
  • Newspaper publishers
  • Publisher

Places:

  • Philadelphia, PA, US
  • Baltimore, MD, US

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