Penguin Books: The Origins and Early Years

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. In this article, we will take a closer look at the origins and early years of Penguin Books.

The origins of Penguin Books can be traced back to 1935, when Allen Lane, a publisher and editor, was traveling by train from London to Exeter. While on the train, Lane was unable to find any good books to read, and he realized that there was a gap in the market for high-quality, affordable books. Lane decided to fill this gap by creating a series of paperbacks that would be both affordable and accessible to a wide range of readers.

The first Penguin book, "The Penguin Ten", was published in 1935 and included titles such as Ernest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms" and Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express". The book was an instant success, and Lane quickly followed it up with more titles in the series. The Penguin Ten series was an immediate success and quickly established Penguin Books as a major player in the publishing industry.

In 1936, Penguin Books published its first non-fiction titles, including a series of travel guides and a book on the history of art. The following year, Penguin Books published its first poetry collections, which included works by W.B. Yeats and T.S. Eliot. These early publications demonstrated Penguin Books' commitment to publishing a wide range of literature, from fiction to non-fiction and poetry.

In 1939, Penguin Books published its first children's books, which included titles such as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Secret Garden". This was an important step for the company, as it expanded its target audience and demonstrated its commitment to publishing literature for all ages.

During the early years, Penguin Books faced several challenges, including censorship, competition and financial difficulties. However, Allen Lane's vision of publishing high-quality, affordable books for a wide range of readers helped the company to weather these challenges, and Penguin Books continued to grow and establish itself as one of the most important publishers in the world.

In conclusion, the origins and early years of Penguin Books were marked by a commitment to publishing a wide range of literature, from classic literature to contemporary fiction, and from non-fiction to poetry. Allen Lane's vision of publishing high-quality, affordable books for a wide range of readers helped to establish Penguin Books as a major player in the publishing industry, and the company continues to be a major influence in the world of literature to this day.