Constable (Firm)

The publisher, Constable & Company has its origins with Scottish publisher, Archibald Constable at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Constable founded the EDINBURGH REVIEW and gained notice as the publisher of Sir Walter Scott. Severe financial problems in 1826 caused the bankruptcy of Constable's publishing house.

The Constable & Co. associated with these records had its origins in 1890 when Archibald's grandson turned over his interests to a nephew, H. Arthur Doubleday. In 1895 Doubleday took on Otto Kyllmann and Wm M. Meredith as partners. In 1899 Constable & Co. began publishing the "Victoria History of the Counties of England." Michael Sadleir joined the firm during this period.

The most prominent authors of the revived publishing house included George Bernard Shaw, Harold Nicolson, Damon Runyon, and Patrick Hamilton. In 1937 Martha Smith was elected to the Board of Directors. Sadleir retired in 1957 and in 1962 the firm was sold to Glazebrook and Hyde.

From the description of Directors' Files, Records, 1899-1959. (Temple University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 145566723