# Grolier

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Publisher of educational and reference books

For other uses, see [Grolier (disambiguation)](/source/Grolier_(disambiguation)).

Grolier Parent company Scholastic Founded 1909; 117 years ago (1909) Founder Walter M. Jackson Country of origin United States Headquarters location Danbury, Connecticut Publication types Books Official website go.scholastic.com

**Grolier** is one of the largest American publishers of general encyclopedias, including *[The Book of Knowledge](/source/The_Book_of_Knowledge)* (1910), *[The New Book of Knowledge](/source/The_New_Book_of_Knowledge)* (1966), *The New Book of Popular Science* (1972), *[Encyclopedia Americana](/source/Encyclopedia_Americana)* (1945), *[Academic American Encyclopedia](/source/Academic_American_Encyclopedia)* (1980), and numerous incarnations of a [CD-ROM](/source/CD-ROM) encyclopedia (1986–2003).

As an educational [publishing company](/source/Publishing_company)[1] Grolier was known for its presence in school libraries and its in-home encyclopedia sales. It also had a strong presence among parents of children under six years old, the market for Grolier's direct mail-to-the-home business.[2]

In June 2000, Grolier became part of [Scholastic Corporation](/source/Scholastic_Corporation), which now maintains *Scholastic GO*, formerly *Grolier Online*. Since 2007, the Grolier imprint **Orchard Books** has published the *[Rainbow Magic](/source/Rainbow_Magic)* and *[Beast Quest](/source/Beast_Quest)* series in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom).

## History

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (July 2020)

The company that became encyclopedia publisher Grolier Incorporated was founded by [Walter M. Jackson](/source/Walter_Montgomery_Jackson) (1863–1923) as the Grolier Society.[3][4] Jackson had been the partner of [Horace Everett Hooper](/source/Horace_Everett_Hooper) in publishing the 10th edition of the *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica)* and in developing its 11th edition. He split with Hooper in 1908–1909 in a nasty legal fight after failing to wrest control of the *Britannica* from Hooper.[5]

The *Grolier Society* specialized in publishing extra-fine editions of classics and rare literature. The Society was named after the [Grolier Club](/source/Grolier_Club), which had been founded in 1884 to advance the arts involved in making books and which was itself named after a well-known French [bibliophile](/source/Bibliophile), [Jean Grolier de Servières](/source/Jean_Grolier_de_Servi%C3%A8res).

In 1910, Jackson purchased the rights to publish the British *[The Children's Encyclopædia](/source/The_Children's_Encyclop%C3%A6dia)* under the name *[The Book of Knowledge](/source/The_Book_of_Knowledge)*.

In 1936, the company was acquired by its senior sales executive, Fred P. Murphy, who had joined the firm in 1912.[6] Grolier's common stock began trading publicly in 1954, and it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1965.[7]

Under Murphy's leadership, by the mid-1940s, Grolier became one of the largest publishers of general encyclopedias, including *The Book of Knowledge* and the *Encyclopedia Americana.*[8] Grolier also published the *Grolier Encyclopedia* (based on the *Harmsworth's Universal Encyclopedia* and the *Doubleday's Encyclopedia)* (1941),[9] *[American Peoples Encyclopedia](/source/American_Peoples_Encyclopedia)* (1962),[10] *The New Book of Knowledge* (1966), the *Academic American Encyclopedia* (1980), *The New Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia* (1985 CD-ROM), and the *Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia* (1995).

Grolier conducted its encyclopedia sales through subsidiaries Americana Corporation; The Grolier Society; Inc.; R.H. Hinckley Company; Spencer International Press, Inc.; and The Richards Company, Inc. Each subsidiary distributed publications as designated by Grolier.[11] Murphy encouraged a productive rivalry among the subsidiaries, giving their executives broad authority and profit-sharing incentives.

In 1959, Murphy hired [John G. Ryan](/source/John_G._Ryan), formerly president of competitor [P.F. Collier & Son](/source/Peter_Fenelon_Collier), as president of The Richards Company. By 1968, Richards' sales, distributing the *American Peoples Encyclopedia*, exceeded that of the other Grolier encyclopedia subsidiaries.[12]

In 1968, Grolier's annual sales were over $181 million,[13] and the company held a 30 percent market share as the leading publisher of encyclopedias in the United States.[14] Grolier also established a successful mail order subsidiary.[15]

In the 1970s, Grolier declined financially. Fred Murphy retired, and the company merged the sales subsidiaries into what became a less profitable unitary sales force. Grolier also made ill-fated investments in non-publishing ventures, including mobile homes.[16] In 1976, Grolier lost $77 million on sales of $247 million. It threatened to file for bankruptcy if its creditors did not agree to restructure its debts.[17] In the 1980s, with its mail order business expanding, Grolier returned to profitability.[18][19]

On August 8, 1986, Grolier announced a joint venture partnership with [Hal Roach Studios](/source/Hal_Roach_Studios) and [Robert Halmi, Inc.](/source/Halcyon_Studios) (both of these companies were later known as Qintex Entertainment) to set up a joint venture, Grolier Home Video, which was designed to set up adaptations of the Grolier book properties.[20]

In 1988, Grolier was purchased by the French media company [Hachette](/source/Hachette_(publisher)), which owned a well-known French-language encyclopedia, the *Hachette Encyclopedia*.[21] The sale price was $450 million.[22] Hachette was later absorbed by the French conglomerate, the [Lagardère Group](/source/Lagard%C3%A8re_Group).[22]

In 1995, Grolier acquired [Children's Press](/source/Children's_Press), moving its operations from [Chicago](/source/Chicago) to [New York City](/source/New_York_City) and [Danbury, Connecticut](/source/Danbury%2C_Connecticut).[23]

In 1999, Grolier had revenues of $450 million and earnings of approximately $45 million, with $4.5 million in Internet revenues. It had a US$100 million international business, primarily located in the UK, Canada and Asia.

Grolier was purchased by [Scholastic](/source/Scholastic_Corporation) for US$400 million in June 2000.[24] The new owners projected a 30% increase in operating income, although historically Grolier had experienced earnings of 7% to 8% on income.[25]

Staff reductions as a means of controlling costs followed soon thereafter, even while an effort was made to augment the sales force. Cuts occurred every year between 2000 and 2007, leaving a much-depleted work force to carry out the duties of maintaining a large encyclopedia database.[26] Scholastic, which specializes in works for the K-8 market (Kindergarten-to-8th grade), has sought to position the *[Encyclopedia Americana](/source/Encyclopedia_Americana)* as a reference resource for schools. It remains to be seen whether that strategy, applied to a venerable upper-level (even adult-level) publication, will work in the long run.

The name *Grolier* is retained as the Scholastic website *Scholastic GO*. The company exists as Grolier Incorporated.

## Imprints

### Franklin Watts

"Franklin Watts" redirects here. The UK branch of Franklin Watts is maintained by Hachette UK, and is not a part of the sale to Scholastic Corporation.

**Franklin Watts Inc.** was formed in 1942. The company was sold to Grolier in 1957. When the namesake founder retired in 1967, he moved to London to start Franklin Watts Ltd. in 1969. Franklin Watts retired again in 1976.

When Grolier acquired [Children's Press](/source/Children's_Press) in 1995, much of Franklin Watts were published under the Children's Press imprint. When Hachette sold Grolier to Scholastic Corporation in 2000, Scholastic took U.S. rights to Children's Press and Franklin Watts as well. The UK branch exists today as an imprint of Hachette UK's Hachette Children's Books.

### Orchard Books

"Orchard Books" redirects here. The UK branch of Orchard Books is maintained by Hachette UK, and is not a part of the sale to Scholastic Corporation.

**Orchard Books** was founded in 1986 by Grolier as a children's publisher. When editors Neal Porter, Richard Jackson and Melanie Kroupa left Orchard for [DK](/source/DK_(publisher)) in 1996, Grolier sued the trio.[27] DK and Grolier settled the lawsuit.[28] When Hachette sold Grolier to Scholastic Corporation in 2000, they included the U.S. branch of Orchard Books while retaining the UK branch.

Publications by Orchard UK include the *[Rainbow Magic](/source/Rainbow_Magic)* and *[Beast Quest](/source/Beast_Quest)* series, as well as titles by [Lauren Child](/source/Lauren_Child), [Giles Andreae](/source/Giles_Andreae), Catherine and [Laurence Anholt](/source/Laurence_Anholt), [Cressida Cowell](/source/Cressida_Cowell), [James Mayhew](/source/James_Mayhew), [Anthony Horowitz](/source/Anthony_Horowitz), [Shoo Rayner](/source/Shoo_Rayner), [Saviour Pirotta](/source/Saviour_Pirotta) and Michael Lawrence.[29]

Publications by Orchard US include titles by [Jenny Nimmo](/source/Jenny_Nimmo), [P. B. Kerr](/source/P._B._Kerr) and [Patrick Carman](/source/Patrick_Carman).

## CD-ROM editions

See [Academic American Encyclopedia (Electronic version)](/source/Academic_American_Encyclopedia#Electronic_version).

## Video games

In 1982, Grolier formed a subsidiary called **Grolier Electronic Publishing Inc**. Grolier Electronic Publishing Inc. was renamed **Grolier Interactive Inc**. in February 1996.[30] They made electronic encyclopedias for the [Amiga](/source/Amiga) and [video games](/source/Video_games) for [MS-DOS](/source/MS-DOS), [Windows](/source/Windows), [Mac](/source/Mac_(computer)), and [PlayStation](/source/PlayStation).

The [video games](/source/Video_games) they released include:[31][32][33]

Name Platform(s) Release date Wyatt Earp's Old West Windows, Mac October 1994 Golden Gate Killer Windows, Mac 1995 Terror T.R.A.X.: Track of the Vampire MS-DOS 1995 SFPD Homicide Case File: The Body in the Bay Windows 1995 Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf Windows January 31, 1996 Time Warriors MS-DOS, Windows 1997 Banzai Bug Windows 1997 Grolier's Cornerstone Home Windows, Mac April 1997[34][35] Perfect Assassin Windows, PlayStation November 1997 Xenocracy Windows, PlayStation 1998 V2000 (Also known as Virus 2000) Windows, PlayStation October 1998 Asghan: The Dragon Slayer Windows December 1998 Tank Racer Windows, PlayStation March 26, 1999

Grolier Interactive ceased releasing video games when Grolier was bought by Scholastic.

## See also

- [List of online encyclopedias](/source/List_of_online_encyclopedias)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Grolier Publishing Company"](https://www.jacketflap.com/grolier-publishing-company-publisher-2780). *JacketFlap*. October 23, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-HELLERREPORT2000_2-0)** ["Acquisition activity in the education market heats up"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070630140728/http://www.allbusiness.com/sector-61-educational-services/546308-1.html), Heller Report on Educational Technology Markets, Monday, May 1, 2000 (archived 2007).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Pellegrino Soares, Gabriela (2019). ["The Book of Knowledge between the 'Old' and the 'New' World: history of an encyclopedia"](https://www.transatlantic-cultures.org/en/catalog/the-book-of-knowledge-uma-enciclopedia-britanica-para-a-juventude-das-americas). *Transatlantic Cultures*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0000-0000](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0000-0000).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Valera, Juan; Menéndez y Pelayo, Marcelino (2009). *Menéndez Pelayo y Juan Valera en el Diccionario Enciclopédico Hispano-Americano* (in Spanish). Ed. Universidad de Cantabria. p. 13. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-84-8102-543-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-84-8102-543-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Lipartito, Kenneth; Sicilia, David B. (2004). *Constructing Corporate America: History, Politics, Culture*. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 50. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-925189-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-925189-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Goodman Jr., George (29 October 1979). [""FRED P. MURPHY, 90, EX-CHIEF OF GROLIER""](https://www.nytimes.com/1979/10/29/archives/fred-p-murphy-90-exchief-of-grolier-an-aggressive-executive-he-led.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 21 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Egelhof, Joseph (7 December 1970). ["Sales Force Finds Rising Buying Spirit"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94625521/grolier-07-dec-1970/). *Chicago Tribune*. p. 81. Retrieved 28 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Dawson, Sam (20 July 1947). [""More Americans Trying To Improve Minds At Home""](https://www.newspapers.com/image/651407819/?terms=grolier%20and%20Encyclopedia%20americana&match=1). *The News and Observer*. p. 37. Retrieved 21 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Khan, Masood Ali (2003). *The Principles and Practice of Library Science*. New Delhi: Sarup & Sons. p. 278. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [81-85431-68-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/81-85431-68-X).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Internet Archive (28 September 2020). [*The American peoples encyclopedia*](https://openlibrary.org/books/OL5821523M/The_American_peoples_encyclopedia). Grolier. [OL](/source/OL_(identifier)) [5821523M](https://openlibrary.org/books/OL5821523M). Retrieved 23 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Federal Trade Commission ftc_volume_decision_91_january_-_june_1978pages_315-503.pdf page 362

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Federal Trade Commission ftc_volume_decision_91_january_-_june_1978pages_315-503.pdf page 338.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Goodman Jr., George (29 October 1979). [""FRED P. MURPHY, 90, EX-CHIEF OF GROLIER""](https://www.nytimes.com/1979/10/29/archives/fred-p-murphy-90-exchief-of-grolier-an-aggressive-executive-he-led.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 21 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Egelhof, Joseph (7 December 1970). "Sales Force Finds Rising Buying Spirit". *Chicago Tribune*. p. 81. Retrieved 28 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["3.6 Million Customers Served by Danbury Book Enterprise"](https://www.newspapers.com/). *The Bridgeport Post*. 20 February 1972. p. 49. Retrieved 10 May 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["A Puzzler for Encyclopedia Maker"](https://www.newspapers.com/). *Newsday (Suffolk Edition) (Melville, New York)*. 14 August 1969. p. 87. Retrieved 10 May 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Grolier Plan on Finances Wins Approval"](https://www.newspapers.com/). *Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut)*. 4 December 1977. p. 127. Retrieved 10 May 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Firm Plans Direct Sale of Book of Knowledge"](https://www.newspapers.com/). *Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut)*. 13 January 1978. p. 34. Retrieved 10 May 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Corporate Facts: Grolier, Inc"](https://www.newspapers.com/). *Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut)*. 5 January 1987. p. 54. Retrieved 10 May 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** "Grolier To Test Homevideo Waters With Roach Studios, Halmi Prods". *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. 1986-08-06. p. 35.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [""Grolier Agrees to Be Acquired by French Firm""](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-04-11-fi-729-story.html). *Los Angeles Times*. 11 April 1988. Retrieved 21 March 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_22-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_22-1) Gershon, Richard A. (2013-10-18). [*The Transnational Media Corporation: Global Messages and Free Market Competition*](https://books.google.com/books?id=wo6MAQAAQBAJ&dq=Grolier+Hachette+Lagard%C3%A8re+Group&pg=PT19). Routledge. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-136-68551-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-136-68551-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Storch, Charles (10 October 1987). ["DEAL HAS REGENSTEINER CHANGING HANDS-TWICE"](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-10-10-8703160678-story.html). *chicagotribune.com*. Retrieved 2020-04-05.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Pasiuk, Laurie (2006). *Vault Guide to the Top Media & Entertainment Employers*. New York: Vault Inc. p. 245. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-58131-337-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-58131-337-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** "French Plan to Sell Grolier," *PublishersWeekly.com*, 11/29/1999; "Scholastic to Acquire Grolier," press release, Scholastic Inc., 4/13/2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** "Scholastic Has Record Year and Begins Grolier Integration," *PublishersWeekly.com,* 7/24/00; "Scholastic Sales Surge Continues," *PublishersWeekly.com,* 1/01/01; "Robinson: Scholastic's Business Remains Strong," *PublishersWeekly.com,* 10/01/01; "Sales Dip, Earnings Rise at Scholastic," *PublishersWeekly.com,* 7/29/02; "Scholastic Cuts 400 from Global Workforce," *PublishersWeekly.com,* 6/02/03; "Scholastic Takes a Charge," *PublishersWeekly.com,* 7/19/04; "Scholastic Cuts 30 Spots in Library Unit," *PublishersWeekly.com,* 6/02/05; "Scholastic to Cut Costs as Profits Fall," *PublishersWeekly.com,* 12/16/05; "Weak Results Prompt Closings, Layoffs at Scholastic," *PublishersWeekly.com,* 3/23/06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Mansnerus, Laura (25 November 1996). ["Not the Usual Farewell: Editors Quit and Are Sued"](https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/25/business/not-the-usual-farewell-editors-quit-and-are-sued.html). *The New York Times*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Grolier, DK Settle $8 Million Tampering Suit"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/19970710/38655-grolier-dk-settle-8-million-tampering-suit.html).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Bharanidharan, Sadhana (20 November 2024). ["Superprod and Coolabi go on a Beast Quest"](https://kidscreen.com/2024/11/20/superprod-and-coolabi-team-up-on-a-beast-quest-toon). *Kid Screen*. Penned by multiple authors under the pseudonym of Adam Blade, the *[Beast Quest](/source/Beast_Quest)* books have proven immensely popular. Since the first title was published by Orchard Books in 2007, the series has sold more than 24 million copies worldwide across 180 titles (with roughly two million copies sold in the last three years alone).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** [MobyGames](http://www.mobygames.com/company/grolier-interactive-inc)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** [GameSpot](http://www.gamespot.com/games.html?type=company&mode=732&sort=release&dlx_type=all&sortdir=desc&official=all)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["GI's Game Page"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080820215822/http://gi.grolier.com/gi/products/games/docs/gimain.html). Archived from [the original](http://gi.grolier.com/gi/products/games/docs/gimain.html) on 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2009-11-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** [MobyGames](http://www.mobygames.com/browse/games/grolier-interactive-inc/full,11)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["SkillsBank Corporation Announces Grolier's CornerStone Home and Sets a New Standard in Home Educational Software"](https://web.archive.org/web/19980207010756/http://www.skillsbank.com/Pages/prcshome.html) (Press release). SkillsBank Corporation. February 27, 1997. Archived from [the original](http://www.skillsbank.com/Pages/prcshome.html) on February 7, 1998. Retrieved March 21, 2026. Grolier's CornerStone Home will be available for shipment in early April at a price of less than $50.00 per grade level and subject area.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** ["Titles Designed & Developed by RSP"](https://web.archive.org/web/20030411184655/http://www.rspinc.com/titles.htm). Riedel Software Productions. 1999. Archived from [the original](http://www.rspinc.com/titles.htm) on April 11, 2003. Retrieved March 21, 2026.

## External links

- [Official website](http://auth.grolier.com/login/go_login_page.html?bffs=N%20Grolier's)

- [Grolier Interactive's Official homepage (old, no longer in use)](http://gi.grolier.com/)

- [Grolier Interactive's Official Games Page (archived)](https://web.archive.org/web/20090917185504/http://gi.grolier.com/gi/products/games/docs/maingame.html)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Grolier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grolier) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grolier?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.