Nelson Doubleday
Nelson Doubleday (June 16, 1889 – January 11, 1949) was a U.S.
Early life and education
Nelson Doubleday was born in
Nelson grew up in the world of book publishing, as his father had founded the Doubleday company. His mother wrote several books about gardening and birds, which were considered notable for their combination of scientific content and lyrical expression.
Nelson later studied at
Career
Doubleday established his own business in 1910 and used the profits to publish books under his own imprint. After serving in World War I, he joined his father's firm, Doubleday, Page and Company, as a junior partner. After the firm merged with Doran Company, and upon his father's death in 1934, Nelson Doubleday became chairman of the board of Doubleday, Doran Company, Incorporated. He remained chairman of the firm (later Doubleday and Company) until his death in 1949. With some expansion, he still maintained Doubleday as a family publishing business, with one associated book club.[5]
Marriage and family
He married Ellen McCarter (1899–1978).[6] Her father was an attorney who organized the Public Service Corporation in New Jersey, serving as president for its first 36 years.[6]
They had a son
Both Sargent and Nelson Doubleday, Jr., worked for Doubleday. Beginning with Sargent in 1963, each served as president. Nelson Jr. served as president from 1978 to 1986 when, following wide changes in the publishing business, he sold the company to the German conglomerate, Bertelsmann.
After the Sargents divorced in 1965, Neltje moved to Wyoming with her two children. She remarried, bought a ranch and restored and operated the historic Sheridan Inn, and became an abstract artist. In the 1980s, she created the "Neltje Blanchan Literary Prize" in honor of her paternal grandmother. In 2001, Neltje founded Jentel, an artist-in-residence program supported by her private family foundation. In 2005, Neltje received the Governor's Art Award as one of Wyoming's "preeminent artists."[7] In 2010, she made an estate gift of her ranch, studio, art collection and financial holdings to the University of Wyoming, the largest in its history.[7]
Legacy and honors
Ellen Doubleday left her collection of Doubleday business and personal documents to Princeton University. The Ellen McCarter Doubleday Papers, circa 1930s–1978 contain business and social correspondence, documents by and from Doubleday authors, personal and family letters, and issues related to Doubleday estates.[6]
References
- ^ Moore, Joseph A. (1945, 1971 reprint). Famous Leaders of Industry, p. 34. L. C. Page & Company, Inc.
- ^ Moore (1945), p. 36.
- ^ "Doubleday, Frank Nelson, 1862-1934". Archived from the original on 2017-04-25. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
- ^ Moore (1945), Famous Leaders, pp. 39-40
- ^ Ingham, John N. (1983). Biographical Dictionary of American Business Leaders, Vol. 1, p. 293. Greenwood Press.
- ^ a b c "Princeton University Library Manuscripts Division: Ellen McCarter Doubleday Papers, circa 1930s-1978: Inventory". Archived from the original on 2010-06-19. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
- ^ a b "Gift will create powerhouse arts center" (PDF), UWYO, Fall 2010[permanent dead link]