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Private company

Eyre & Spottiswoode

Defunct London-based printing firm

Eyre & Spottiswoode was the London-based printing firm established in 1739 that was the King's Printer, and subsequently, a publisher prior to being incorporated; it once went by the name of Spottiswoode, Ballantyne & co. ltd. In April 1929, it was incorporated as Eyre & Spottiswoode (Publishers) Ltd. It became part of Associated Book Publishers in 1958 and merged with Methuen in the 1970s with the resulting company known as Eyre Methuen.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1739Founded1
  • HeadquartersLondon1

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Eyre & Spottiswoode was the London-based printing firm established in 1739 that was the King's Printer, and subsequently, a publisher prior to being incorporated; it once went by the name of Spottiswoode, Ballantyne & co. ltd. In April 1929, it was incorporated as Eyre & Spottiswoode (Publishers) Ltd. It became part of Associated Book Publishers in 1958 and merged with Methuen in the 1970s with the resulting company known as Eyre Methuen.2

The story

The business that became Eyre & Spottiswoode was founded by William Strahan in 1739. His son Andrew inherited the business upon William's death in 1785. Brothers Robert and Andrew Spottiswoode took over management for their uncle Andrew Stahan in 1819 and continued until 1832. In the 19th century, the firm had a printing works at Shacklewell. The firm was re-appointed King's Printer after the accession of King Edward VII in May 1901.

Douglas Jerrold became a director in 1929, when it incorporated as a publishing house, became chairman in 1945, and retired in 1958. Between 1944 and 1948, Graham Greene was his director, in charge of developing its fiction list. Greene created The Century Library series, which was discontinued after he left following a conflict with Jerrold regarding Anthony Powell's contract. In 1958, Greene was offered the position of chairman by Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre, but declined.

From Wikipedia’s article on Eyre & Spottiswoode, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Leadership

Who has led Eyre & Spottiswoode, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Chair

  1. John Symons Crosthwaite-Eyre1922–1961
  2. Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre1961–1973
197019801990200020102020

Timeline

  1. 1739Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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