Everyman's Library: A Legacy of Affordable World Literature
In the early 20th century, access to the world's greatest literary works was often reserved for the cultural elite. This changed in 1905 when London publisher Joseph Malaby Dent conceived Everyman's Library. His ambitious goal was to create a 1,000-volume collection of world literature that was affordable and appealing to everyone, from students and the working classes to the academic elite.
The Vision and Design
Dent was deeply influenced by the design principles of William Morris and his Kelmscott Press. To achieve a high standard of aesthetics, Dent collaborated with the Monotype corporation to develop specific typefaces. The first was Veronese, a remake of a foundry-face Dent had previously used. In 1912, Series 59 was introduced, mirroring the style of the Golden Type but featuring cleaner lines and sharper slab serifs (thick, block-like endpoints on letters), which allowed Dent to transition his production to mechanical printing.
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The visual identity evolved over time, with the original old-style typography being replaced in 1935 by designs from Eric Ravilious. To maintain accessibility, the books were produced as pocket-sized hardcovers and initially sold for the remarkably low price of one shilling each. In the United States, distribution rights were originally granted to the New York City publishers E. P. Dutton.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The series owes its name to poet and editor Ernest Rhys, the initial head editor. After considering numerous options, Rhys drew inspiration from the medieval play Everyman. He selected a poignant quotation spoken by the character Knowledge to Everyman:
Everyman, I will go with thee, and be thy guide, In thy most need to go by thy side.
This passage remains a hallmark of the series, appearing on the title pages of all Everyman's Library and Everyman Paperbacks volumes.
Growth and Expansion
The series officially launched in 1906 with James Boswell's Life of Johnson. This first volume featured a quote from John Milton describing a good book as the "precious life-blood of a master-spirit." The collection grew rapidly; by 1910, 500 books had been published. Dent's original milestone was reached in 1956 with the publication of the 1,000th volume, Aristotle's Metaphysics.
By 1975, the library had far exceeded its initial scope, comprising 994 titles spread across 1,239 volumes. To organize this vast collection, books were categorized into specific genres, which were printed inside each volume and used for periodic catalog lists.
| Category Type | Included Genres |
|---|---|
| Narrative & Drama | Fiction, Poetry & Drama, Romance |
| Academic & Thought | Theology & Philosophy, History, Classical, Essays |
| Life & Reference | Biography, Reference, For Young People, Oratory |
Modern Ownership and Evolution
After new title publications ceased in the 1970s, the hardback rights were sold to David Campbell Publishers in 1991. The series was relaunched with support from the Random House Group in the UK and Alfred A. Knopf in the US. By 2002, full control passed to the US-based Random House, which continues to publish the series under the Knopf imprint in the US and as Random House UK elsewhere.
Separately, J. M. Dent & Sons was acquired by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in 1988, and later by the Orion Publishing Group in 1991 (now part of Hachette Livre). Orion continues to publish the unrelated Everyman Paperbacks under the J. M. Dent imprint in the UK and via Charles E. Tuttle Co. in the US.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1905 by Joseph Malaby Dent.
- Initial Price: One shilling per pocket-sized hardcover.
- Milestone: The 1,000th volume (Aristotle's Metaphysics) was published in 1956.
- Scale: By 1975, the collection reached 994 titles in 1,239 volumes.
- Current US Publisher: Knopf (a division of Random House).
- Editorial Prestige: The Honorary Editorial Committee has included figures such as Toni Morrison, Harold Bloom, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Cynthia Ozick, and Simon Schama.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Everyman's Library and why?
It was founded in 1905 by London publisher Joseph Malaby Dent to provide an affordable 1,000-volume library of world literature accessible to all social classes.
Where does the name "Everyman" come from?
The name was suggested by editor Ernest Rhys, inspired by a medieval play of the same name, specifically a passage where the character Knowledge offers to guide Everyman.
What was the first book published in the series?
The series began in 1906 with an edition of James Boswell's Life of Johnson.
What is the difference between Everyman's Library and Everyman Paperbacks?
Everyman's Library refers to the hardcover series currently managed by Random House/Knopf, while Everyman Paperbacks is an unrelated line published by Orion under the J. M. Dent imprint.
Which typeface was used in the early volumes?
Dent initially used Veronese and later introduced Series 59 in 1912, which featured sharper slab serifs and cleaner lines for machine production.