Penguin Books is one of the most recognizable and influential publishing companies in the world. Founded in 1935 by Allen Lane, Penguin Books has a rich history of publishing a wide range of literature, from classic literature to contemporary fiction, and from non-fiction to poetry. Here is a timeline of key events in the history of Penguin Books:
1935: Allen Lane founded Penguin Books in London, England. The company's first publication was a series of paperbacks called the Penguin Ten, which included titles such as Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms" and Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express".
1936: Penguin Books published its first non-fiction titles, including a series of travel guides and a book on the history of art.
1937: Penguin Books published its first poetry collections, which included works by W.B. Yeats and T.S. Eliot.
1939: Penguin Books published its first children's books, which included titles such as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Secret Garden".
1944: Penguin Books was sued for obscenity for publishing D.H. Lawrence's novel "Lady Chatterley's Lover". The case was a significant moment in the history of censorship in the United Kingdom.
1946: Penguin Books launched its Penguin Specials series, which was dedicated to publishing books on current affairs and political issues.
1955: Penguin Books launched its Penguin Modern Classics series, which included reprints of classic literature such as "Jane Eyre" and "Pride and Prejudice".
1960: Penguin Books published "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, which went on to become one of the company's most successful and enduring titles.
1972: Penguin Books was acquired by Pearson plc, a multinational media and education company.
1978: Penguin Books published "The Penguin Dictionary of Quotations", which became one of the company's best-selling reference books.
Today, Penguin Books continues to publish a wide range of literature, from classic literature to contemporary fiction, and from non-fiction to poetry. The company has also diversified into digital publishing and e-books, and it continues to be a major player in the publishing industry.
In conclusion, Penguin Books has played a significant role in shaping the publishing industry and has a rich history of publishing a wide range of literature. From its early days of publishing paperbacks to its current focus on digital and e-books, Penguin Books has always been at the forefront of publishing trends and has had a lasting impact on literature and culture.
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