Daniel Appleton and the Rise of Printed Encyclopedias

Daniel Appleton is an American publisher who published American Cyclopaedia which, for 50 years since its publication, became the biggest and most widely read work of its kind ever printed in the US.

Appleton was born on December 10, 1785 in Boston, Massachusetts. He owned a dry goods store which eventually also engaged in importing books. Soon he focused on importing and selling books which led Appleton to abandon his dry goods business.

Appleton’s first published book was released in 1831. By 1841, his work began to diversify when he started selling children’s books. In 1845, Appleton began exporting books to Latin American despite the absence of contacts. His courage paid off because his Latin American business endured and was profitable. He began offering travel literatures in 1847.

Appleton established his own company in New York which was known as D. Appleton & Co. This publishing house was responsible for releasing the American Cyclopaedia and other forms of literature.

Appleton died on March 27, 1849 in New York City.