George Robertson (publisher)

George Robertson
Born	Template:Birth date Halstead, Essex, England
Died	August 27, 1933(1933-08-27) (aged 73)
Occupation(s)	Bookseller, publisher
Known for	Establishing the publishing arm of Angus & Robertson; founding Halstead Press

George Robertson (14 April 1860 – 27 August 1933) was a bookseller and publisher originally from England who established the publishing arm of Angus & Robertson alongside his business associate David Angus.

Biography

Robertson was born in Halstead, Essex, England, and received his training as a bookseller in Glasgow. He later emigrated first to New Zealand before settling in Sydney in 1882. There, he took up a position with the Sydney branch of George Robertson and Company, a Melbourne-based bookselling firm with no family connection.

In January 1886, Robertson formed a partnership with David MacKenzie Angus, conducting their business in Sydney until Angus passed away in 1900. Following this, Robertson continued operations with Frederick Wymark and Richard Thomson, eventually transforming the partnership into the publicly listed company Angus & Robertson Ltd in 1907.

Focusing on Australian and regional literature, Robertson played a key role in shaping collector David Scott Mitchell’s notable Australiana collection. Around 1895, he ventured into publishing, issuing acclaimed works by writers such as Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson, and Victor Daley. He gained a reputation for recognizing emerging authors and embracing new literary talent.

Throughout the final three decades of his career, Robertson produced more published titles than all other Australian publishers combined. Among his significant achievements was the publication of The Australian Encyclopaedia in 1926, an important milestone in the nation’s publishing history.

In 1929, he established Halstead Press, which remained Australia’s foremost book printing company for forty years.

The George Robertson Award, presented by the Australian Publishers Association, commemorates his enduring impact by honoring individuals who have dedicated over thirty years to the publishing industry.

Robertson was married twice: first to Elizabeth Stewart Bruce in 1881, and later to Eva Adeline Ducat in 1910. He was survived by his second wife and four children from his first marriage.

See also

• Angus & Robertson