Barry Cunningham (born 19 December 1952) is a British publisher, who worked for various publishers including Penguin Books and

Bloomsbury Bloomsbury is a district in the West End of London. It is considered a fashionable residential area, and is the location of numerous cultural, intellectual, and educational institutions. Bloomsbury is home of the British Museum, the largest mus ...

before setting up Chicken House publishing in 2000. He is most well known for signing J. K. Rowling and publishing ''

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'' is a 1997 fantasy novel written by British author J. K. Rowling. The first novel in the ''Harry Potter'' series and Rowling's debut novel, it follows Harry Potter, a young wizard who discovers ...

'' in 1997.

Early life and education

Cunningham was born on 19 December 1952 in London. He was educated at

Malvern College Malvern College is an Independent school (United Kingdom), independent coeducational day and boarding school in Malvern, Worcestershire, Malvern, Worcestershire, England. It is a public school (United Kingdom), public school in the British sen ...

before studying English Literature at Cambridge University.

Career in publishing

Cunningham began working at Penguin in 1977 and held the position of marketing director in 1989. He later joined Bloomsbury, where he initiated Bloomsbury Children’s Books. While in this position he signed J.K Rowling and published ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone''."JK Rowling based her Casual Vacancy character on me, says man who set author on the road to riches"
''The Telegraph''. In 2000, Cunningham left Bloomsbury to start the

Chicken House Poultry farming is the form of animal husbandry which raises domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese to produce meat or eggs for food. Poultry – mostly chickens – are farmed in great numbers. More than 60 billion chicke ...

, a publisher of children’s fiction that specializes in new writers. Barry also published the books of '' New York Times'' bestselling author Cornelia Funke. In 2010, Cunningham received an OBE in recognition of his contribution to children’s literature."Queen's Birthday Honours - the full list
''The Telegraph''.

Notable awards

* Awarded an

OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

in 2010 for Services to the Publishing Industry. * Winner of the Branford Boase Award in 2000 with Katherine Roberts (author of Song Quest) * Winner of the Branford Boase Award in 2003 with Kevin Brooks (author of Martyn Pig) * Nominated for the Branford Boase Award in 2008 with

Sharon Dogar Sharon ( he, שָׁרוֹן ''Šārôn'' "plain") is a given name as well as an Israeli surname. In English-speaking areas, Sharon is now predominantly a feminine given name. However, historically it was also used as a masculine given name. In ...

(author of Waves)

References

External links

Chicken House Publishing
*http://www.thebookseller.com/profile/business-profile-barry-cunningham.html *http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/books/childrensbooks/article3736888.ece *http://www.viewfromheremagazine.com/2012/03/barry-cunningham-interview.html {{DEFAULTSORT:Cunningham, Barry 1952 births Living people British publishers (people) Alumni of the University of Cambridge Officers of the Order of the British Empire