David Nutt (publisher)
David Samuel Nutt | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date London, England |
| Died | November 28, 1863 (aged 53) |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, publisher |
| Known for | Importing foreign literature, publishing religious, educational, antiquarian and academic works |
David Samuel Nutt (3 April 1810 – 28 November 1863) was a London-based English bookseller and publisher. He specialized in the trade of imported foreign literature, catering to distinguished clients such as the British Museum and numerous private collectors. His publishing enterprise commenced in the 1830s, concentrating on titles aimed at foreign markets, religious and educational publications, antiquarian works, and academic literature. In 1851, Nutt entered into a partnership with the German-English publisher Nicholas Trübner.
Upon David's passing in 1863, his son Alfred Nutt took over and broadened the company's scope to include folklore and antiquities, enhancing its prestige through works like The Modern Language Quarterly. After Alfred’s unexpected death in 1910, his widow Marie Louise Nutt managed the business, publishing prominent writers including Robert Frost. Due to financial strains, the firm was sold in 1916 to Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton Kent and Company, marking the end of direct Nutt family management.
Career
Born in London in 1810, David Samuel Nutt was educated at Merchant Taylor's School before beginning his career as a clerk at a London trading company. Influenced by partner Edward Moberley and rare book dealer Adolphus Asher from Berlin—who commissioned him to act as his London agent—Nutt embarked on bookselling between 1829 and 1833.
His initial premises were located at 90 Bartholomew Close, later relocating to 58 Fleet Street, and subsequently to 270–271 Strand. He identified himself as a "foreign and classical bookseller" as well as a "theological and foreign bookseller," specializing in imported works across numerous European and Asian languages. His clientele encompassed major institutions like the British Museum, University of Oxford, and University of Cambridge, alongside private collectors such as George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer and Thomas Grenville. His catalogues reflected deep antiquarian knowledge and were referenced by bibliographers including Jacques Charles Brunet and Johann G. T. Graesse.
Nutt’s entry into publishing began during the 1830s, focusing primarily on foreign publications—particularly German—as well as religious, educational, antiquarian, literary, and scholarly texts.
In 1851, he established a partnership with Nicholas Trübner, a German-English publisher.
The David Nutt firm in later years
Alfred Nutt, David’s eldest surviving son, assumed control of the company in 1878 and notably expanded its offerings to encompass folklore and antiquarian subjects. Around the early 1900s, the firm also undertook publication of The Modern Language Quarterly on behalf of the Modern Language Association (Great Britain).
In 1890, the business moved to 57-59 Long Acre, operating "At the Sign of the Phoenix," before relocating again in 1912 to Grape Street near New Oxford Street, London.
After Alfred’s sudden death in 1910, his widow Marie Louise Nutt took over leadership. She continued to publish emerging authors and notably became the first publisher of poet Robert Frost, releasing his collections A Boy's Will (1913) and North of Boston (1914).
Facing financial difficulties, Mrs. Nutt sold the company in 1916 to Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton Kent and Company.
Personal life
David Nutt was wed to Ellen Clementina Carter, the daughter of Robert Carter and the granddaughter of William Miller, whose publishing firm operated prior to John Murray.
In 1864, Ellen, known by her married name Ella Clementina Nutt, acted as a representative for the German book industry in London.
David Nutt passed away at his residence in 1863.
Book series
- Ancient East Series
- Argyllshire Series
- Arthurian Romances Not Included in Malory's Morte d'Arthur
- Art Lover's Series
- Bibliothèque de Carabas
- Country Folk-lore
- Cymmrodorion Record Series
- English History from Contemporary Authors
- Grimm Library
- Method Gaspey-Otto-Sauer
- The Modern Linguist
- New York University Ottendorfer Memorial Series of Germanic Monographs
- Northern Library
- Nutt’s Conversation Dictionaries
- Nutt's Juvenile Library
- Phonetic Series
- Pilgrim Players Series
- Popular Studies in Mythology, Romance & Folklore
- Publications of the Folk-lore Society
- Scottish History by Contemporary Writers
- The Tudor Library
- The Tudor Translations
- Waifs and Strays of Celtic Tradition
- Woman Citizen's Series
See also
Further reading
- Crys Armbrust, "David Nutt (1829-1916)", featured in Patricia J. Anderson and Jonathan Rose, British Literary Publishing Houses, 1820-1880, Detroit and London: Gale Research, Inc., 1991 (Dictionary of Literary Biography, vol. 106), pp. 228–229.
External links
- David Nutt, A catalogue of theological books in foreign languages, including the sacred writings ..., London: David Nutt, 1857.