Daniel Appleton (December 10, 1785 – March 27, 1849) was an American publisher who founded D. Appleton & Co.

Early life

Daniel Appleton was born on December 10, 1785, in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was the son of Daniel Appleton (1750–1828) and Lydia (née Ela) Appleton (1747–1826).

Career

After a few years of schooling, he started a general store in Haverill. He moved to

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and had his business office at 21 Broad Street, where he sold dry-goods imported from England. Finally, in 1825, he moved to New York City where he gradually combined the importing of books with the dry-goods trade. The book department was placed in charge of

William Henry Appleton William Henry Appleton (January 27, 1814 – October 19, 1899) was an American publisher, eldest son and successor of Daniel Appleton. Early life William Henry Appleton was born on January 27, 1814 at Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was the elde ...

, his eldest son. Later, he moved to Clinton Hall, Beekman Street, and devoted himself to the importation and sales of books, abandoning his dry-goods business. He published his first book in 1831. He gradually diversified. In 1841, he began offering children's books. In 1845, he began sending books to

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which—despite his lack of contacts—turned out to be a good market for him due to its recent independence from Spain. His business in that region was enduring and profitable. In 1847, he started offering travel literature. The firm which he established in New York City became known as D. Appleton & Co. The publications of the house extend over the entire field of literature. The firm's ''

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'' was for 50 years the largest and most widely circulated work of its kind ever produced in the United States. His company was continued by his descendants. Appleton retired in 1848.

Personal life

On December 18, 1813, Daniel married Hannah Adams (1791–1859), the daughter of John Adams and Dorcas Falkner, who bore him eight children: *

(1814–1899), who married Mary Moody Worthen, daughter of Ezra Worthen and sister of William Ezra Worthen, in 1844. * Maria Louisa Appleton (b. 1815), who married

James E. Cooley James Ewing Cooley (1802 – August 19, 1882 Bagni di Lucca, Italy) was a New York City bookseller, auctioneer and politician. He served in the New York State Senate for the First District in the session of 1852, and served on the advisory board w ...

(1802–1882) * John Adams Appleton (1817–1881) * Charles Horatio Appleton (1819–1820) * George Swett Appleton (1821–1878), who married Caroline Osgood, daughter of Robert H. Osgood, in 1847. * Daniel Sidney Appleton (1824–1890), who married Melvina W. Marshall (d. 1878), daughter of Charles H. Marshall, in 1858. * Samuel Frances Appleton (1826–1883) * Sarah Emeline Appleton (1829–1861), who married Leopold Bossange, of Paris. Appleton died in New York City on March 27, 1849.

Notes

Sources

* *

External links

* * NYPL
Portrait of Appleton

Daniel Appleton
at

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Authorities — with about 15 catalog records {{DEFAULTSORT:Appleton, Daniel 1785 births 1849 deaths Appleton family American book publishers (people) People from Haverhill, Massachusetts Businesspeople from Boston Businesspeople from New York City Businesspeople in tourism 19th-century American businesspeople