Masson

In 1802, Nicolas Crochard set up as a printer and bookseller in Paris in association with Pierre-Antoine-Louis Allut. In 1804, Crochard continued the business on his own and from 1807, he specialised in scientific and medical publishing. In 1826, he passed the business to his son Eugène Crochard, who from 1835. would run the business with Victor Masson (1807–1879). In 1846, Masson became the sole proprietor of the firm under the name La Librairie Victor Masson.

The ownership of the firm was passed to his son, Georges Masson (1839–1900), who in 1900 passed the firm to Pierre-Victor Masson (1865–1928). In the 1930s, Georges Masson (1900–1973) ran the company. Over the years the firm's name changed to Victor Masson & fils and then in 1896 to Librairie Masson et Compagnie (Masson & Cie).

In 1987, Masson purchased Armand Colin. In turn, it became part of the City Group (Groupe de la Cité) in 1994. In 2000, Groupe de la Cité became part of Vivendi Universal Publishing (VUP). VUP sold its medical and trade publishing to a group led by Cinven in 2002, who formed MediMedia. In 2005, MediMedia sold its European and U.S. Netter professional medical publishing businesses to Reed Elsevier. Masson merged with Elsevier France, creating Elsevier Masson. The company has been managed by Daniel Rodriguez since 2013.