Greenwood Publishing Group: A History of Scholarly Publishing
The trajectory of Greenwood Publishing Group reflects the broader evolution of the academic and reference publishing industry. From its humble beginnings as a specialist in out-of-print works to its integration into global publishing conglomerates, the company has played a pivotal role in preserving and disseminating scholarly knowledge for over half a century.
The Formative Years: 1967–1979
Founded in 1967 by Harold Mason, a librarian and antiquarian bookseller, and Harold Schwartz, an expert in trade publishing, the company began as Greenwood Press, Inc. (GPI). Based in Greenwood, New York, the firm initially focused on the niche market of reprinting out-of-print materials. This included titles from the American Library Association's first edition of Books for College Libraries (1967) and a series of out-of-print periodicals titled "American Radical Periodicals."
The company's growth accelerated in 1969 after its sale to Williamhouse-Regency, a paper and stationery manufacturer. This acquisition allowed GPI to expand its reprint operations and launch Greenwood Microforms, a microform publishing imprint (a format used to store documents on miniaturized film).
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Strategic Pivot and Expansion: 1980–1999
A significant shift in direction occurred under the leadership of Robert Hagelstein, who became president in 1973. Over the next twenty-seven years, Hagelstein transitioned the press away from reprints and toward the creation of original scholarly, reference, and professional works. This strategic redirection was remarkably successful, resulting in the publication of more than 10,000 titles.
The 1980s and 90s were marked by aggressive growth through acquisitions and corporate mergers:
- 1976: Sold to the Congressional Information Service (CIS).
- 1979: Became part of the Dutch publishing giant Elsevier.
- 1986: Acquired Praeger Publishers from CBS, Inc.
- 1989: Acquired Auburn House and Bergin & Garvey.
In 1990, the company rebranded as Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. (GPG). Following the 1993 merger of Elsevier and Reed International, GPG became part of Reed Elsevier. By the mid-1990s, GPG's operations were integrated with Heinemann USA.
Following Hagelstein's retirement in 1999, Wayne Smith took over as president. Smith further expanded the portfolio by acquiring the Oryx Press, Ablex Publishing, and Libraries Unlimited imprints, while launching Greenwood Electronic Media to venture into CD-ROM and online products.
Corporate Transitions: 2000–Present
The early 21st century saw GPG move through several large-scale corporate ownership changes. In 2001, it became part of Harcourt Education after Reed Elsevier acquired Harcourt. By 2007, GPG was absorbed into the Houghton Mifflin Company following its acquisition of Harcourt.
A major turning point occurred on October 1, 2008, when Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) granted ABC-Clio a perpetual license to use the imprints and publish the titles of Greenwood Publishing Group. This agreement included the transfer of copyrights, contracts, and inventory for Greenwood Publishing, Praeger Publishers (including Praeger Security International), and Libraries Unlimited. This transition led to the closure of the Westport, Connecticut office and subsequent layoffs in late 2008.
The most recent chapter in the company's history began in December 2021, when Bloomsbury Publishing acquired ABC-Clio, thereby bringing the Greenwood legacy under its ownership.
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Key Facts
- Founded: 1967 by Harold Mason and Harold Schwartz.
- Original Focus: Reprinting out-of-print scholarly works and periodicals.
- Major Pivot: Shifted from reprints to original scholarly works under Robert Hagelstein, producing over 10,000 titles.
- Key Imprints: Praeger Publishers, Libraries Unlimited, and Quorum Books.
- Current Owner: Bloomsbury Publishing (via the acquisition of ABC-Clio in 2021).
Ownership Summary
| Period | Parent Company / Owner | Key Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1967–1969 | Independent (Mason & Schwartz) | Company founded as Greenwood Press, Inc. |
| 1969–1976 | Williamhouse-Regency | Expansion into microforms. |
| 1976–1979 | Congressional Information Service (CIS) | Acquisition by CIS. |
| 1979–1993 | Elsevier | Integration into Dutch publishing giant. |
| 1993–2001 | Reed Elsevier | Result of Elsevier and Reed International merger. |
| 2001–2007 | Harcourt Education | Acquisition of Harcourt by Reed Elsevier. |
| 2007–2008 | Houghton Mifflin Harcourt | Acquisition of Harcourt by Houghton Mifflin. |
| 2009–2021 | ABC-Clio | Transfer of assets and perpetual licensing. |
| 2021–Present | Bloomsbury Publishing | Acquisition of ABC-Clio. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Greenwood Press?
Greenwood Press was founded in 1967 by Harold Mason, an antiquarian bookseller and librarian, and Harold Schwartz, who had experience in trade publishing.
What was the original purpose of the company?
The company initially focused on reprinting out-of-print works, specifically those listed in the American Library Association's 1967 Books for College Libraries and various radical periodicals.
When did the company stop focusing on reprints?
Under the presidency of Robert Hagelstein, who took over in 1973, the company gradually wound down its reprint activities to focus on new scholarly, professional, and reference books.
Which major imprints are associated with Greenwood?
Key imprints include Praeger Publishers (and Praeger Security International), Libraries Unlimited, Quorum Books, Ablex Publishing, and Oryx Press.
Who currently owns the Greenwood titles?
As of December 2021, Bloomsbury Publishing owns the Greenwood titles following its acquisition of ABC-Clio.